Flashback: Black Stars Of Ghana’s Bus Was Burnt In Lagos After 1973 World Cup Elimination Match Against Nigeria
Here is how the Daily Graphic reported what happened on that Monday, February 12, 1973.
Pandemonium broke out at the Lagos stadium on Saturday soon after the Black Stars had scored their third and winning goal in their World Cup elimination match against Nigeria.
Stones and bottles were thrown onto the pitch in protest as the Black Stars jubilated.
But the jubilation could not be sustained when the spectators surged onto the field.
At this point, the Lagos State Military Governor, Col. Mobolaji Johnson, personally led a team of armed personnel to protect the Stars.
The troops escorted the Stars off the pitch.
A rough deal was, therefore, unleashed on the Ghanaian supporters who accompanied the team to Nigeria.
It was during this onslaught that the supporters’ bus was set on fire.
The fire-wrecked van was still smouldering yesterday morning. The Nigerian troops had to use tear gas to disperse the angry crowd.
According to a BBC news bulletin, the game was abandoned soon after the Ghanaians had scored the winning goal.
Nigeria took the lead in the 15th minute through wizard dribbler Yakubu Mambo but Ghana replied three minutes later when Kwasi Owusu scored from a penalty kick.
This was after a Nigerian defender under pressure handled the ball in the box.
In the 40th minute, Nigeria earned a free-kick just outside the penalty box.
Confusion arose in the Ghana penalty box after the kick gas been taken, and Yakubu Mambo exploited the situation to put Nigeria back in the lead.
Half time score stood at 2-1.
Ghana redoubled her efforts on resumption.
Centre forward Kwasi Owusu who hit his former goal-grabbing form, made several breakthroughs but the Nigerian goalkeeper made significant saves.
In the 55th minute, left-winger Malik Jabir, who played a real captain’s game sent an intelligent pass to Kwasi Owusu to score the equalizer for Ghana.
Nigeria, after the equalizer, quickly changed their pattern of play, but the Stars found an antidote to their style and forced them to play a defensive game.
It, therefore, came as no surprise, when Kwasi Owusu scored the match winner in the 82nd minute in a goalmouth scramble.
The Ghana line-up was Lante France, Enoch Asumadu, Ayi Acquah, Tetteh Gorleku, Dan Oppong, Sam Amarteifio, John Taylor/ Peter Lamptey, Eric Amankwa, Kwasi Owusu, Isaac Eshun, Malik Jabir( capt).
The Black Stars returned home last night.
#Ahenkanfmonline.com / 93.3 FM
