The
Confederation of African Football (CAF) Monday imposed a $5,000 fine on Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF) for overcrowding during Gabon 2017 match in Kaduna
between Nigeria and Egypt.
NFF incurred
the wrath of CAF for poor crowd control measures that saw about 40,000 fans
lumbered into the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna in the Africa Cup of Nations
Group G fixture on March 25.
The decision
was made by the CAF Disciplinary Board which reviewed the case in Johannesburg,
South Africa on April 16.
CAF also warned
Nigeria that further sanctions would be applied in the event of similar
incidents in the future.
The board
acted on the report submitted by Match Commissioner Abbasi Ssendyowa of Uganda
and live television coverage which established the lapses against the Nigerian
federation.
The Kaduna
State government had thrown the gates open, leading to overcrowding by
spectators, who breached the perimeter fencing and spilled into restricted
technical areas.
Some of the
fans even mounted on the floodlights, scoreboard and television stand, putting
their lives at great risk to cheer the Super Eagles.
Nigeria,
however, conceded a late goal to Egypt to end the match 1-1, while their dream
to appear at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations final came to a sad end three
days later, when the Pharaohs defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Alexandria.
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