Sports
Fans escape death in stampede at Nigeria-Zambia clash in Uyo
Fans escaped death at the 2018 World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo on Saturday as a stampede left many injured.
The match which held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, saw Nigeria qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup following a 1-0 victory over the visitors.
But some fans, who were at the stadium to watch and cheer the Eagles to victory, were allegedly beaten by soldiers at the gates of the stadium with heavy sticks.
While the crowd tried to avoid the soldiers’ sticks by running, a stampede occurred and led to a lot of injuries as bloodstains were seen on the floors around the gate.
Ambulances were also seen conveying injured persons to the hospital.
Read Also: Rohr happy Eagles survived ‘difficult’ group to seal World Cup spot
There were however speculations that some persons may have lost their lives going by the amount of blood at the scene, and as Policemen and personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps were also sighted standing beside some unconscious fans.
But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, who later spoke to Punch via sms, revealed that no person lost their life after the incident.
“It is confirmed that nobody died. But some persons were injured while struggling to gain access into the stadium. The injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention,” Bala said.
Nigeria became the first African nation to seal their qualification as they join Spain, Germany, England, Brazil, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and hosts Russia to guarantee spots at the FIFA World Cup finals next summer.
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