8th August, 2010
Kano Pillars breached one of the rules governing the Nigeria Premier League when their officials and players attacked the referees led by Engr. Emmanuel Emiere, who officiated in the final match against Enyimba of Aba at the Gateway Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, this evening.
Shortly after Referee Emiere blew the final whistle in the final which Enyimba won 2-1, the officials of Kano Pillars and their players swoop on the referee demanding why he allowed Enyimba’s second goal scored by Nwuoha Bagnus in the 89th minute. There was also a mild confrontation between players of both teams.
The tension soaked match started with the Kano boys leading in the first half when Thompson Joseph scored in the 24th minute for his side.
Enyimba bounced back in the second half with their strikers putting pressure on their opponents’ defence. This paid off in the 72nd minute through a powerful header from Itodo Cletus who gave Enyimba the much needed equalizer before Bagnus finished up the game with his 89th minute winner that caused the mayhem after the match.
Two Kano Pillars players were given the matching order by referee Emiere. Alhaji Mohammed Alhaji was given a red card in the 54th minute, when he pulled down a goal-bound Enyimba player. This did not go down well with Kano Pillars players who started abusing the referee from the bench, a situation that led to Abdul Haruna, a reserved player to be sent out in the 55th minute.
The show of shame from Kano Pillars officials and players took the shine off the successful Globacom League Super Championship in Ijebu Ode.
The Nigerian Premier League has not decided on this ugly incident.
By Tunde Oyedele/Ijebu Ode