Minister Spits Fire Following Vandalisation of Abuja Stadium, Regrets Eagles’ Failure to Qualify for World Cup

• Sunday Dare is not impressed with the level at which the Moshood Abiola Stadium was vandalised by irate fans after Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup
• The Black Stars edged the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2022 World Cup courtesy of the away goals rule as the second leg ended 1-1
• Sunday Dare expressed disappointment about the World Cup miss and further condemned the vandalisation of properties at the stadium

Nigeria’s Sports Minister Sunday Dare has condemned the vandalisation of the Abuja Stadium following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

The Nigerian national team were forced to a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium which was enough to see the Black Stars through to the Mundial after the first leg earlier ended 0-0 in Kumasi.

Sunday Dare stated that in sports, nothing is 100 per cent certain and that the Federal Government gave every support for the Super Eagles to qualify.

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He said via Complete Sports:

“We drew 0-0 in Kumasi and drew 1-1 here and that meant the away goal rule gave Ghana the edge. It is most unfortunate and regrettable that we are not going to Qatar, but that is sports. Nothing is 100% certain.

“On our part, the Federal Government gave every support necessary. We got the stadium ready in all its glory.

“We mobilised Nigerians and other football lovers to fill up the stadium. The NFF called up a solid cast of players. 60,000 voices sang the National anthem in what must have been one of the most uplifting moments one could imagine."

As soon as the referee sounded the final whistle, irate fans stormed the pitch in an attempt to destroy everything in sight, which has been condemned by the Sports Minister.

He added:

“Vandalizing and destroying sporting infrastructure at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is not acceptable regardless of unhappiness. The Nigerians that did this must be condemned.

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“I saw a number of young persons destroying valuable items in the stadium. Obviously, as Nigerians, they have a right to be disappointed, but they do not have the right to destroy public property in which monies from taxpayers and funds from patriotic private individuals were invested.

“No excuse can be advanced for destroying infrastructure put in place to fix infrastructure gaps. It is akin to shooting one's self in the foot. The mentality of destroying things built to serve law-abiding citizens is condemnable and will be sanctioned.”

Four-month-old baby spotted inside the stadium

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that passionate parents took their four-month-old son to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja for Nigeria vs Ghana showdown.

More than two hours before the kick-off of the encounter, Mr and Mrs Ebo from Benue State were spotted with their toddler, David, making their way into the stands.

Passionate Mrs Ebo decorated their four-month-old baby in the colours of the Nigerian flag as they hope the Super Eagles will be victorious in the encounter.