Sections of the crowd reacted badly to Swaziland's 1-1 draw

Several Swaziland internationals tried to attack their own supporters following Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to the Cape Verde Islands in a 2006 Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier.

The incident took place outside Mbabane's Somhlolo National Stadium after a group of angry supporters verbally abused the Swazi players following the disappointing draw.

The footballers reacted by asking their bus driver to stop as they sought to confront their critics.

"When the bus was leaving the stadium, some fans made some unsavoury remarks against the players and the team," says Jerry Dube, a journalist for the Times of Swaziland who saw the event unfold.

"So the players asked the bus driver to wait as they sought to deal with the fans."

Dube estimates that only three of the 18-man Swazi squad remained on the bus and while eight merely stepped outside, six or seven players chased after the fans.

Police prevented the international footballers, one of whom was wielding a stick, from reaching the fans.

Apology

Swazi international Sibusiso Dlamini yesterday conceded that the players had overreacted and he has since apologised to the nation for his actions.

Meanwhile, the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) president Patrick Kunene said his body has yet to receive an official report on the matter.

"As soon as we have the information from our technical bench, we will decide what to do," he told the BBC Sport website.

"That may be later this week."

Sunday's 1-1 draw leaves Swaziland with a difficult task in the return leg of the preliminary qualifier in Praia next month.