This was absolutely the weirdest game during this African Cup of Nations tournament. The Semi-final between the host Equitorial Guinea and Ghana resumed after a break of over 30 minutes yesterday as most of the crowd were forced from the stands amid violent scenes after missiles rained down from angry Equatorial Guinea fans.
Equatorial Guinea fans had started throwing objects onto the field after their side went behind to a controversial 42nd minute penalty.
Ghana players had to be protected by riot police using plastic shields as they left the field at the end of the first half and the second period was delayed by two minutes as home fans aimed plastic bottles and tin cans at Ghana's bench.
Ghana supporters also sought refuge on the pitch with their team leading 3-0 in a tempestuous semifinal at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo against the tournament hosts.
In a bid to calm the Equatorial Guinea fans, teargas was fired as riot police tried to control the home supporters as Ghana fans, corralled into an enclosure to the side of the 15000 capacity stadium, split onto the field and amassed behind the goal as they fled a deluge of water bottles and cans.
Meanwhile, a helicopter flew over the stands in a bid to force the spectators out with at least one fan falling dangerously over a barrier. It was not immediately known if there were any injuries.
As the delay continued, the Confederation of African Football used the public address system to threaten to call off the game if the crowd at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo did not stop pelting Ghana's players.
The players remained on the field with the referee as officials struggled to bring order. The delay went on for 34 minuites before play was resumed.
No comments:
Post a Comment