Ghana fans invade pitch after AFCON loss to Angola
- Ghana's Black Stars lost 1-0 to Angola in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, suffering their first defeat of the campaign.
- Following the loss, fans invaded the pitch, throwing missiles and causing significant damage, prompting security forces to intervene.
- The Ghana National Sports Authority has closed the stadium for repairs and the Ghana FA is expecting a hefty fine due to the incident.
During a recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, faced a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium. The loss marked their first defeat in the qualification campaign, with the decisive goal scored by Felicio Milson in stoppage time. This unexpected outcome triggered a chaotic scene as frustrated fans stormed the pitch, throwing missiles such as bottles and other objects onto the field, leading to significant unrest. In response to the invasion, security personnel, including soldiers and police dogs, were deployed to restore order. Six Premier League players, including captain Thomas Partey from Arsenal and Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, were quickly ushered to safety amid the turmoil. Reports indicate that one individual was arrested for confronting player Jordan Ayew during the incident, highlighting the intensity of the fans' anger. The aftermath of the riot resulted in the Ghana National Sports Authority closing the Baba Yara Stadium for a month to facilitate repairs. This decision came after the stadium suffered damage, including smashed advertising boards, as fans expressed their discontent. The Ghana Football Association is now bracing for a substantial fine due to this incident, as they have faced similar penalties in the past for pitch invasions. The situation was exacerbated by ticketing issues that led to fans breaking into the stadium before the match, further fueling the unrest. The combination of a disappointing loss and the chaotic environment has raised concerns about fan behavior and the need for improved security measures at sporting events in Ghana.