Disappointed Super Eagles’ Fans Vandalise Stadium, Call For Siasia’s Removal

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Disappointed Super Eagles' fans on Saturday in Abuja showed their bitterness by vandalising some parts of the stadium and by calling for removal of Coach Samson Siasia.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles drew 2-2 against Guinea's Syli Nationale to seal Nigeria’s hopes of participating in the 2012 African Nations Cup.

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In the qualifying final round `Group B’ match played at the Abuja National Stadium, the Eagles had come from behind to lead 2-1 until the fifth minute of added time.

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While the fans had restrained themselves from booing the team during the game, in spite of a lacklustre performance, they, however, started booing the players after? the game.

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After booing the players off the pitch, an appreciable number of the fans, who could find their way to the stadium's VIP Section, broke a glass window near the Media Centre.

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The fans made frantic attempts to break in and make their feelings known to the horde of journalists who were waiting for the post-match conference.

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Military policemen and anti-riot policemen, who were part of the heavy security arrangements put in place for the match, however, stopped the irate fans from entering the VIP Lounge.

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Another group of fans also broke down part of the wire fence near the Upper Terrace turnstiles, as they were moving out of the stadium, to show their anger.

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But some of them were still able to make their feelings known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, with many of them calling for Siasia's sack.

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“Now Nigerians have seen the difference, after they sacked Amodu Shaibu and refused to take either Stephen Keshi or Augustine Eguavoen.

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“Siasia has failed us; he should just go and give way before we fail to qualify for the 2014 World Cup,'' an Abuja-based fan, Henry Akalonu, said.

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Gbenga Ogunmuyiwa, a Keffi-based businessman, said that the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) should remove Siasia.

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He said: “The coach's hardline stance led him to fall out with many of his players, thereby leading to disunity in the team.

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“It is clear that the players are not happy with him. This is the result of his decision to always go hard on them.

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“If he had not had problems with Osaze Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and Mikel Obi, we could have had a better team to beat Guinea,'' Ogunmuyiwa said.

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NANreports that Bangoura Ismael had given Guinea the lead in the 54th minute to dampen the fans' morale, while Obinna Nsofor drew level in the 63rd minute to raise hopes.

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Substitute Ikechukwu Uche scored in the 78th minute to put the Eagles in line for qualification, only for the sloppy defending that led to the equaliser.?

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Traore Ibrahima sliced through tired-looking Eagles defenders in the fifth minute of added six minutes in the second half to draw level and put Guinea solidly on its way to the Nations Cup.