Audio By Carbonatix
Angry fans of Sierra Leone's national football team have attacked a player's house after he missed a decisive penalty.
Captain Umaru Bangura failed to convert a stoppage-time spot kick in front of a huge crowd on Sunday.
It meant Sierra Leone failed to get through to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Liberia qualified, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. After the game fans pelted Bangura's home with stones.
The windows and doors of his residence in the capital, Freetown, were left badly damaged. A song has even been released mocking his penalty miss.
"[It was] one of the worst days of my life," Bangura told the BBC on Monday while holed-up in his bedroom. "I can't even go outside because I didn't expect this kind of hostility towards me.
"I did my job by stepping up as the captain to take the spot kick," he added. "I am really disappointed. But at the same time I wish to say sorry [and] beg for their forgiveness."
Had Bangura scored, Sierra Leone would have levelled the two-legged tie 3-3 and gone through to the next stage on away goals.
Image copyrightRED CROSS SIERRA LEONE
Image captionFans also threw stones at Red Cross ambulances after the match
Red Cross staff also came under attack outside the stadium after they were accused of whisking Bangura away from fans, the BBC's Umaru Fofana says.
Four Red Cross volunteers were injured in the unrest. People also threw stones at their marked ambulances, which were later pictured with smashed windows.
"I was really disappointed with the Sierra Leoneans," the country's sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, told the BBC.
"Some disgruntled hoodlums went to [Bangura's] house and pelted stones at it," he said. "It is not good for the game. He is our captain [and] football is a game of chance."
Mr Nyelenkeh added: "[Hooliganism] is becoming unprecedented. I think measures should be put in place to combat it."
Image copyrightRED CROSS SIERRA LEONE
Image captionFans also threw stones at Red Cross ambulances after the match
Red Cross staff also came under attack outside the stadium after they were accused of whisking Bangura away from fans, the BBC's Umaru Fofana says.
Four Red Cross volunteers were injured in the unrest. People also threw stones at their marked ambulances, which were later pictured with smashed windows.
"I was really disappointed with the Sierra Leoneans," the country's sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, told the BBC.
"Some disgruntled hoodlums went to [Bangura's] house and pelted stones at it," he said. "It is not good for the game. He is our captain [and] football is a game of chance."
Mr Nyelenkeh added: "[Hooliganism] is becoming unprecedented. I think measures should be put in place to combat it."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate busted at PokuaseÂ
8 minutes -
Photos: First Lady attends African First Ladies for Development meeting in Ethiopia
20 minutes -
2026 U20 WWCQ: Black Princesses beat South Africa to make final roundÂ
52 minutes -
World Para Athletics: UAE Ambassador applauds Ghana for medal-winning feat
2 hours -
Photos: Ghana’s path to AU Chairmanship begins with Vice Chair election
2 hours -
Chinese business leader Xu Ningquan champions lawful investment and deeper Ghana–China trade ties
2 hours -
President Mahama elected AU First Vice Chair as Burundi takes over leadership
3 hours -
Police work to restore calm and clear road after fatal tanker crash on Suhum–Nsawam Highway
3 hours -
Four burnt, several injured in Nsawam-Accra tanker explosion
4 hours -
Police arrest suspect in murder of officer at Zebilla
4 hours -
SUSEC–Abesim and Adomako–Watchman roads set for upgrade in Sunyani
5 hours -
CDD-Ghana calls for national debate on campaign financing
5 hours -
INTERPOL’s decision on Ofori-Atta: What it means for his U.S. bond hearing and the legal road ahead
6 hours -
Parties can use filing fees to cover delegates’ costs, end vote-buying – Barker-Vormawor
6 hours -
Boxing in Bukom: Five months without the bell
6 hours
