Julius Okorie
On a good day a match between Enyimba of Aba popularly known as Peoples Elephants and Rangers international popularly known as the flying Antelopes is usually one of the most entertaining oriental derbies any soccer fan can look forward to in the Nigeria premier league.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSame goes for a tie between Rangers and Heartland of Owerri, Enyimba and Heartland, Rangers and Abia Warriors and vice versa.
However what should have ended as interesting Super Sunday for fans of Enyimba and Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday June 9 fail short of expectation as the referees decision forced the tie to descend into fiasco.
A controversial penalty reportedly awarded at 99th Minute of the highly anticipated oriental derby led to violence and suspension of match.
The refs decision forced Enyimba players to walk off the field in anger, refusing to continue play while their fans in what could pass for solidarity move in support of the two time CAF Champions League winners, invaded the field, causing the match to be halted.
The stadium, packed with approximately 40,000 spectators, descended into chaos as fans clashed and security struggled to restore order.
Rangers are currently table toppers on the 20-team Premier league with 61 points in 34 matches played closely followed by Enyimba with 59 points in 34 matches played.
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Management Committee of the NPFL we gather are expecting official report on the incident
In other matches played on Sunday, Sporting Lagos posted an impressive run holding Bayelsa United to a 2-2 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
Interestingly two players turned out to be men of the moment for both teams; John Bassey scored a brace for Bayelsa United while Jonathan Alukwu scored a brace for visiting Sporting Lagos.
Bendel Insurance settled for a 0-0 draw with Abia Warriors, Lobi stars beat Remo Stars 3-2, while Heartland of Owerri defeated Doma United 3-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Rivers United were lone goal winners over Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-0 winners over Akwa United.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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