NPFL: Rangers, Enyimba Match Disrupted as Fans Invade Pitch over Late Penalty Call

By Seyi Babalola

The Rangers vs. Enyimba game in Week 35 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been abandoned due to a late penalty call in favour of the Flying Antelopes.

𝐄𝐧𝐲𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚 a𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 match 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 Rangers
The match between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba ended in chaos on Sunday. A penalty awarded Rangers in the 99th minute sparked controversy, causing Enyimba players to walk off and fans to invade the field. Video: Poojamedia pic.twitter.com/LxcCjnFCt7

— The Sun Nigeria (@thesunnigeria) June 9, 2024

Sunday’s game tagged the Oriental Derby was a title decider with Rangers topping the league standings (60 points) and Enyimba trailing them by two points.

Fans had trooped out en masse for the fiercely contested encounter and all was going well.

However, with the game tied goalless, the referee pointed to the spot late in the game, awarding Rangers a penalty.

The decision did not go well with Enyimba players who protested. While efforts were made to resume play, the game turned chaotic when some fans invaded the pitch, disrupting the highly-anticipated match.

Rangers 0-0 Enyimba #RANENY #NPFL24 #TheFinalStretch,” the NPFL wrote on its X platform. “Match interrupted after penalty awarded to Rangers in added time.”

The scenes at the Cathedral were unbecoming for a game of this magnitude.

The referee awarded a late penalty to Rangers and Enyimba players left the pitch.

The aggrieved fans invaded the pitch and the game ended up being inconclusive.