Angry fans of Sierra Leone’s national football team attacked team captain Umaru Bangura’s house after he missed a decisive penalty.
Bangura was not able to convert a last-minute spot-kick in front of a huge crowd on Sunday and his miss meant Sierra Leone did not get through to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Liberia progressed 3-2 on aggregate and after the game, fans threw stones at Bangura’s home, leaving his windows and doors badly damaged.
Bangura said it was one of the worst days of his life, he also said he has not been able to go outside his house for fear of being harmed.
“I did my job by stepping up as the captain to take the spot kick,” he added. “I am really disappointed. But at the same time I wish to say sorry [and] beg for their forgiveness.”
Sierra Leone would have gone through to the next stage on away goals if Bangura had scored his penalty to level his side 3-3 on aggregate.
The country’s sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, has condemned the attack on Bangura.