NPFL: Rangers-Enyimba match abandoned over pitch invasion

The week 35 match of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) between Rangers International of Enugu and Enyimba of Aba was abandoned over pitch invasion on Sunday.

The Oriental derby played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu was abandoned after Rangers was awarded a penalty in the 107th minute of play.

Enyimba players protested the penalty and when the referee stood his ground, the club’s players walked out of the pitch and refused to return for the game.

After waiting for Enyimba players to return to the pitch, the referee positioned the ball at the spot only for some fans at the stand, suspected to be Enyimba fans, to start throwing objects into the field.

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The referee and the Rangers players scampered for safety while the missiles continued to fly into the pitch.

The fans overpowered the stadium stewards and invaded the pitch of play, bringing the game to an abrupt end.

The game was goalless at the time of the incident.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium with 25,000 capacity was full with about 40,000 spectators.

The Star