
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 LEONEImage captionFans also threw stones at Red Cross ambulances after the matchRed 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 LEONEImage captionFans also threw stones at Red Cross ambulances after the matchRed 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
-
Ahiagbah urges government to complete Afari Military Hospital, says project 98% done
6 minutes -
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke acquitted of bribery after 13-year UK probe
7 minutes -
UK law enforcement destroyed my reputation and integrity, ex-Nigerian oil minister tells BBC
13 minutes -
Presidency to determine eligibility for siren use by government appointees
21 minutes -
Interior ministry overhauls firearm licensing system, introduces mental health and drug tests for applicants
34 minutes -
Interior Minister suspends all active gun licenses in Ghana, orders fresh screening
41 minutes -
Interior Ministry to publicly destroy seized weapons on July 9 as gun amnesty ends
49 minutes -
Scrip T drops visuals for new single “Am Ghosting”
1 hour -
NSA trial: Witness admits no evidence backing claim Ghana Card was used to register company linked to Gifty Oware-Mensah
1 hour -
The parking lot is not a stage; stop gifting cars to children in school
2 hours -
IFRIG leads Ghana delegation to Malaysia for non-interest banking and Islamic finance training
2 hours -
Wealthy Ghanaians urged to help decongest KATH as philanthropist clears GH¢60,000 bills for 16 patients
2 hours -
Amanano Community Bank records historic GH¢19.2m profit, unveils expansion and diaspora banking plans
2 hours -
Todays Front pages: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
2 hours -
Global initiative launched to tackle growing health impacts of climate change in low-income countries
3 hours