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
-
Trade Minister applauds GUTA as a pillar of economic growth; Prez Mahama honoured
54 minutes -
President’s brother’s takeover of Damang Mines is ‘untidy’ – Alhassan Tampuli
60 minutes -
It’s not true that gov’t decided not to renew the lease for Gold Fields – Bobby Banson
1 hour -
Ghana to boost tomato production with 60-hectare irrigated farms and processing initiatives
1 hour -
E&P’s takeover process of Damang Mines was very clean – Inusah Fuseini
1 hour -
Damang takeover: There is not going to be any job loss; it is a lease change – Bobby Banson
2 hours -
Gold Fields didn’t stop mining at Damang mines; such claims are untrue – Bobby Banson
2 hours -
Engineers and Planners currently operate only in Ghana – Bright Simons
2 hours -
Lands Minister has no legal basis to restrict lease to Ghanaian firms – Bright Simons
2 hours -
Gov’t’s refusal to renew Gold Fields’ lease was simply untenable – Bright Simons
2 hours -
SOS Children’s Villages Ghana deepens partnership with Gender Ministry
3 hours -
Gender Ministry celebrates Christina Koch, reaffirms commitment to empowering girls
3 hours -
Live stream: Newsfile digs into E&P’s takeover of Damang Mines, OSP powers and Anti-LGBTQ Bill
3 hours -
Moody’s maintains Ghana’s rating at Caa1, revises outlook to positive
4 hours -
Zambia elevates tourism education to national priority as President Hichilema backs continental summit
4 hours