World Cup: Angry Nigeria fans storm pitch after Ghana defeat

Nigeria will not be playing at the 2022 World Cup.

Africa’s most populous nation are one of the most consistent qualifiers for the biggest tournament in the men’s game, but will have to watch the games in Qatar from home this time around.

The Super Eagles missed out on a World Cup appearance by the finest of margins as their qualifying clash with Ghana ultimately finished 1-1 after 180 minutes of hotly-contested football.

However, with the opening leg in Ghana having finished goalless, Thomas Partey’s opening strike for the Black Stars in Abuja was enough to send them through courtesy of the away-goal rule.

That’s despite the fact that a penalty from captain William Troost-Ekong had given the home fans a glimmer of hope that they could come back from behind to nab a last-gasp spot in the draw.

Nevertheless, it simply wasn’t to be with Nigeria’s defeat causing some unsavoury scenes at the Abuja National Stadium with social media footage showing fans invading the pitch at full-time.

According to the Evening Standard, clips are circulating that show supporters causing damage to their own stadium with dugouts and advertising boards pushed over amidst the confusion.

It’s claimed that Ghana players had to cut their celebrations early by running for cover with very few visiting stands cheering amongst the 60,000 supporters in attendance in Nigeria’s capital.

The true extent of the chaos is yet to be established with worrying reports of police intervention and even the use of tear gas suggesting that the situation got completely out of hand.

It is getting messy here. Destroying everything they can touch. Tear gas fired! pic.twitter.com/g49v8oV9Rg

Angry Nigeria fans storm the stadium, after Nigeria lost to Ghana and failed to