NPFL championship-deciding Week 35 ‘Oriental Derby’ between Enugu Rangers and visiting Enyimba was abandoned tonight after the home team were awarded a late penalty.
The moment the fans encroached the pitch and the match was abandoned
— Jamiu Adelase (@adelasejamiu) June 9, 2024
Ranger International 0 🆚 0 Enyimba #RANENY #OrientalDerby#NPFL24#RANENY pic.twitter.com/0y7y3gPq5x
This derby attracted a sold-out Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu and was goalless before the penalty award which caused Enyimba to walk of the pitch before fans encroached on to the pitch.
Opinions are divided 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.
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 hot-and-cold form with a loss to Plateau United and already relegated Gombe United were thrashed 4-0 by Katsina United.
With additional reporting by Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
