Nigeria vs Madagascar: 10 Eagles’ Fans Injured, One In Coma

At least 10 people were injured during yesterday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between  Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Madagascar at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

•Martins: Wins MVP award in the Super Eagles’ Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Calabar yesterday. Photo: AFP.

More than 35,000 fans watched the Eagles beat their visitors 2-0 in the 25,000-capacity  stadium. Trouble started after the match when the fans tried to leave the overcrowded  stadium. There was a stampede during which people fell over each other in a bid to get out  of the stadium. The injured fans were later rushed to the hospital.

An unlucky lady who fell in the VIP stand was trampled and fainted. Her people quickly  rushed her to the hospital.

Security was tight with well over 1,500 policemen and about 900 civil defence corps on  ground to ensure that the match was hitch-free.

Players and officials of the Super Eagles were guarded by the special security personnel led  by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Gideon Akinsola.

Meanwhile, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River thanked the fans for coming out in their  numbers to support the Eagles. Imoke gave the Eagles the sum of N10m and congratulated them  for beginning their Nations Cup qualifiers on a winning note.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari thanked the Cross River  State government for rescuing the FA by hosting the match. Samsung also gave the team the  sum of $9,000 for the nine shots on target.

Nigeria hardly raised a sweat as they triumphed 2-0 against Madagascar in Calabar through  clinical first-half finishes from strikers Obafemi Martins in the 18th minute and Michael  Eneramo in the 45th minute.

— Tunde  Oyedele/ Calabar