Rangers trio trapped in dressing room amid fatal post-match riot
Rangers stars Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun sheltered in the dressing room for more than an hour after a violent pitch invasion following Nigeria’s World Cup exit.
A doping official, Dr Joseph Kabungo, also suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the game which saw Ghana qualify for the finals in Qatar at their hosts’ expense following the 1-1 draw in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dugouts were smashed, missiles thrown and sponsors boards flattened by rioting fans spilling onto the playing surface at full-time which led to police using tear-gas in an attempt to clear the pitch.
Nigerian media brila.net reported that the Super Eagles, including the rangers trio, were kept protected inside for more than an hour.
Shocking footage showed fans breaking seats and climbing on the goal-frame and nets before the zambian fa broke the tragic news of the doctor’s death.
Zambian FA president Andrew Kamanga said: “We mourn the passing of our CAF/ FIFA medical officer Dr Joseph Kabungo who was on duty as a doping officer in Tuesday’s match involving Nigeria and Ghana, and we extend condolences to Dr Kabungo’s family and the football family at large.
"He was a dedicated and widely
loved member of our football community and his impact was vast. Dr Kabungo was a friend and confidant to many generations of players and families.”
Bassey, Balogun and Aribo had all started the final African
qualification play-off where Arsenal’s Thomas Partey opened the scoring for Ghana after 10 minutes but a penalty for the home side, converted by William Troost Ekong, levelled the score on the night and on aggregate. However, after a goalless first leg it was Otto Addo’s team joining Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon as africa’ s representatives in Qatar.
The match was Calvin Bassey’s first international start for the Super Eagles, having made his debut in the first leg. Aribo earned his 17th international appearance while Berlin-born Ba log un is closing in on his 50 th Nigerian cap.
The Rangers trio are now expected back in Scotland ahead of sunday’ s old firm derby, with just three points separating the reigning champions from current cinch Premiership leaders Celtic.
Aaron Ramsey has returned to Rangers with "full fitness" ahead of Sunday's cinch Premiership showdown with Celtic.
Ramsey was omitted from Wales' matchday squad against the Czech Republic after struggling towards the end of his country's World Cup play-off semi-final win over Austria last Thursday.
But Wales manager Robert Page, speaking after his side's 1-1 friendly draw on Tuesday, said Ramsey's omission was a precaution and he expects the 31-year-old midfielder to feature in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox.
Page said: "There was no injury. It was a no-brainer.
"What we have to do is show respect to the clubs as well.
"We've got their players and
Aaron is 30-plus years old now. I made that decision not to have him in the 23.
"We didn't need to risk Aaron. Let him go back to his club with full fitness and play in a wonderful game, the Old Firm derby on Sunday.
"I made that decision not to have him in the 23. Knowing then it's less risk of him getting injured or picking anything else up, so we can protect him a little bit for June.
"We're in the final now. The job was done, the most important game was against Austria on Thursday."
Ramsey has yet to play a full game for Rangers since joining from Juventus on loan in January. But he did manage 84 minutes in their most recent Premiership clash, when he scored in a 2-1 win at Dundee on March 20.
Second-placed Rangers head into the Old Firm derby three points behind their Glasgow rivals.