Breaking: FIFA bans Nigeria’s MKO Abiola National Stadium
The Confederation of International Football, FIFA, has banned Nigeria’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja which was recently renovated by billionaire Aliko Dangote for $1 million from hosting international matches.
The ban follows the invasion of the stadium on Tuesday after the nation’s national senior football team, the Super Eagles, were defeated on away goal advantage by Ghana’s Black Stars and failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The newly renovated stadium which hosted the final leg of Nigeria vs Ghana World Cup play-off but the Ghanaians snatched the ticket from their host in a dramatic fashion through away goal rule.
Angry Nigerian fans invaded the pitch after the 1-1 draw against Ghana forcing players and officials to run for their life into the changing room.
FIFA medical officer Dr. Joseph Kabungo who had cardiac arrest on his way to the dressing room was rushed to hospital but he passed on
Joseph suffered a cardiac arrest during the commotion and was pronounced dead soon after.
Dr. Joseph Kabungo is CAF medical committee member who was also recently appointed to the FIFA medical committee. He served as the Zambian team doctor from 2003 to 2016.
It is not clear what other sanctions FIFA and the regional body CAF could mete out to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for failing to provide adequate security for the game but the two bodies frowned at fans encroachment into the field of play
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee in May 2006 sanctioned Nigeria with a $5,000 fine for poor crowd control at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, where the Super Eagles hosted Egypt in a Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier in March.
The organisers of the match allowed a crowd of over 40,000 inside the stadium designed to hold only 25,000 spectators.
The Super Eagles and the Pharaohs drew 1-1 in that encounter, with the Egyptians subsequently defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the return fixture to stop the Eagles from qualifying for the competition.
