The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) game between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba which took place on June 9, 2024, has been abandoned as fans invaded the pitch after the home team was awarded a late penalty.
The match was highly anticipated as it was a title-deciding fixture in the 2023/2024 StarTimes/NPFL season as well as the ever-fierce oriental derby. Enugu Rangers, leading the league with 61 points, hosted Enyimba, who were second with 59 points.
The game was marred by controversy when the referee awarded a late penalty to Rangers in the 99th minute. Enyimba players protested the decision and walked off the pitch, while Enyimba fans invaded the field, disrupting the match. The game was subsequently suspended.
The derby which attracted a sold-out Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu was very tense and entertaining until a penalty was awarded by the centre referee which caused Enyimba to walk off the pitch before fans encroached onto the pitch.
The game still at goalless was subsequently suspended.
Opinions are divided on whether the penalty was fair as the Enyimba defender appeared to have pulled back the Rangers striker as he tried to shoot at goal inside the box.
Victory tonight would have seen Rangers open a five-point gap from Enyimba with two rounds of matches to the end of the season.
The chaos at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu highlighted the need for better security and crowd control measures at football matches in Nigeria.
This incident is not the first time that a match between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba has been marred by controversy. In a previous encounter around 2008, Enyimba fans reportedly pulled down the gate to the stadium’s main bowl after a 1-1 draw, claiming they were cheated.
The NPFL and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will likely face scrutiny over the incident, with calls for a thorough investigation and stricter penalties for crowd disturbances at matches.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars championship hopes were seriously dented when they fell 3-2 at Lobi Stars earlier today.
The early kick-offs saw Lobi Stars end Remo Stars unbeaten and possibly their title ambitions, while Abia Warriors played out a goalless draw with Bendel Insurance in Umuahia.
Sunshine Stars turned back relegation-troubled Akwa United 2-0 as Shooting Stars huffed and puffed before they were left stunned by Nyima Nwagua’s 51st-minute strike for Rivers United to halt their title charge.
Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos could not be separated as John Bassey’s brace cancelled out Jonathan Alukwu’s double to leave them all square.
Heartland continued their spirited fight to stay up courtesy of a 3-1 win over Doma United.
On Friday, Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes settled for 1-1 draw, Kwara United continued their fluctuating form with a loss to Plateau United and relegated Gombe United were thrashed 4-1 by Katsina United.
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