The match between the Enugu Rangers and the Enyimba of Aba was suspended after the fans invaded the pitch.
Just like the previous encounter between the two teams, which ended in a draw in Aba, the two teams failed to find the back of the net in regulation time.
At the end of the regulation time, the fourth official awarded eight minutes of extra time. Afterwards, the centre referee decided to award Enugu Rangers a penalty in the 101st minute of the game.
The referee’s decision to award a penalty in the last minute of the match prompted a huge reaction from the Enyimba fans who invaded the pitch and caused the game to be abandoned.
Despite the suspension of the match, Enugu Rangers stayed on top of the Nigeria Premier League table with 62 points.
The reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Enyimba, have a total of 60 points from 35 games. A win against Enugu Rangers would have seen them move to the top of the league table.
Even though the security operatives had succeeded in bringing the situation under control, Enyimba players who went into their dressing room after the invasion failed to come back to the pitch for the continuation of the game.
The invasion of the Enyimba fans is likely to damage the club’s reputation and reduce their hope of defending the Nigeria Premier League title in the 2023/24 season.
The Nigeria Football Federation has not made any decision pertaining to the suspended match.
How The Fans Reacted Online to the Incident That Happened In Enugu
A fan took to her social media account to say, “This is why we will never take Nigerian leagues seriously, and foreigners won’t want to invest in them. Why this attitude from fans?”
Another fan said, “This is why I don’t like the Nigerian League. When is the University VC Cup?”
Another social media user expressed her thoughts about the football match, saying, “The club should be sanctioned and banned from participating in any football game for the next 5 years.”
What Next for Enugu Rangers and Enyimba United?
The current leader of the Nigeria Premier League, Enugu Rangers, will travel to Ibadan to play against the Shooting Stars on June 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
It is a must-win match for the Enugu Rangers, who are looking forward to winning the league this season.
The Enyimba of Aba will play against Bayelsa United on June 12, 2024 at 4:00 pm. A win against Bayelsa may take them to the top of the League if Enugu Rangers fail to beat Shooting Star.
How many trophies has Enyimba won?
The Enyimba football team won nine Nigerian Premier League titles, two CAF Champions League trophies, and two CAF Super Cups.
Who owns Enyimba FC in Nigeria?
The most successful Nigerian football club, Enyimba FC, is owned by the Abia State Government.
