2013 Nations Cup qualifiers: Ivorian govt calls for calm after Senegal crowd trouble

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (PANA) - The Ivorian government has urged its citizens to refrain from any reprisal attacks against Senegalese nationals living in the country, following Saturday's crowd trouble during a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations match between the two countries in Dakar.

Ivorian Defence Minister Paul Koffi Koffi made the call on the state-run broadcaster RTI 1 on Saturday evening.

"I make this appeal for calm and peace. We asked our men to patrol the town to prevent any violence," Mr. Koffi Koffi said.

The match was abandoned in the 76th minute, after home fans went on rampage following two goals by Didier Drogba that sealed the qualification for his team and eliminated Senegal.

In the first leg played on 8 September in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire won 4-2.
-0- PANA BAL/JSG/JEN/ Oct 14th 2012