Ivorian youths rampage over match power cut

ABIDJAN, June 12 (Reuters) Angry soccer supporters in Ivory Coast attacked the state electricity company's offices when the power failed minutes after the West African nation began its first ever World Cup finals game on Saturday.

The blackout was a double blow to fans in the southwestern Soubre region coming just minutes after national football team ''the Elephants'' conceded a goal to Argentina in the hard-fought match which the South Americans went on to win 2-1.

''They attacked the offices and cars with stones and pieces of wood. Some computers were stolen,'' said one worker at the CIE power company's Soubre offices in the war-divided country.

One police officer told Reuters they had made two arrests and chased off up to 100 youths who had smashed office and car windows.

The youths had been watching the match on a big screen in a building next to the CIE premises, he said.

''They were frustrated because there was no storm or anything but the power went out when they wanted to see their country play,'' said police commissioner Falle Bai.

One cocoa farmer said he had little sympathy for CIE staff who turned up to damaged offices today.

''They were playing with Ivorians' emotions. They should have done everything to make sure there would be no power cut at that time,'' said Koffi Kouame.

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