June 10, (THEWILL)- Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu late on Sunday, as the potential title-deciding match between Rangers and Enyimba in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was abandoned due to a controversial late penalty decision.
With the scores level at 0-0 deep into stoppage time, the referee awarded a penalty to hosts Rangers, prompting furious protests from the Enyimba players. Enyimba vehemently disagreed with the decision, claiming the penalty was unjustified and that the match officials had exceeded the allotted stoppage time.
As the fourth official had initially signalled for eight minutes of added time, the Aba-based side refused to continue playing after the contentious call in the 11th minute of stoppage time, leading to their walkout and subsequent abandonment of the match.
The high-stakes encounter carried significant importance in the NPFL title race, with league leaders Rangers holding a two-point advantage over second-placed Enyimba before kick-off. The abandonment has thrown the destination of the championship into disarray, leaving the league’s governing body to make a crucial decision regarding the outcome of the match.
The events in Enugu have cast a shadow over the NPFL season, with the potential ramifications of the abandoned match likely to have a significant impact on the eventual outcome of the title race. As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the league’s governing body to determine the appropriate course of action.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
