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.

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.




http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/09/06/nigeria-vs-madagascar-10-eagles-fans-injured-one-in-coma/