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By Abiodun Adewale.
The match-day 13 of the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football League fixtures between 3SC and Remo Stars in Ibadan as well as Wikki Tourists against Bayelsa United in Bauchi were tainted by fans unrest, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
After their priceless 2-1 away win against fellow strugglers Wikki Tourists in Bauchi on Sunday, Bayelsa United raised the alarm over an alleged attack on their officials by fans of hosts Wikki.
The visitors came back from a goal down to record their first away win of the season against Wikki, thanks to goals from Robert Mizo, his ninth of the season, and Stephen Wisdom, after Chibundu Amah scored first for Wikki in the 25th minute.
Live updates of the game on the official page of the Nigeria Professional Football League was, however, suspended for a few minutes, towards the end of the game, suggesting there were issues at the venue.
The visitors, thereafter, confirmed that there was an assault on their officials after the game.
“Bayelsa United officials were attacked by Wikki Tourist fans, Bayelsa United cameraman was also held hostage,” the club posted after the game, with a video of one of their officials on the ground.
Wikki have now dropped into the relegation zone, and their nightmare might not be over just yet, if the Interim Management Committee of the NPFL finds them guilty of the allegations by Bayelsa.
Bayelsa, the latest victims of fans violence in the league, as well as Remo Stars, have suffered points deduction for similar incidents this season.
Elsewhere in Ibadan, the 1-1 draw between 3SC and Remo Stars might have reached the height of a standard NPFL game but the fans violence, which rocked their previous encounter in the first phase of the southwest derby, reoccurred again outside the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
From a video that went viral after the game, a man identified as a member of the Remo Stars supporters club, who had a replica of their jersey on, was seen holding his left eye in pain, while being consoled by another fan.
The same fixture last season ended in a draw in Ibadan, with a journalist attacked by ultras believed to be from the home team.
However, there were goals aplenty across the other venues on Sunday as the race to end the regular season gradually hits the home stretch.
In Uyo, Akwa United failed to close the gap on group leaders, Bendel Insurance, no thanks to a 2-2 draw against struggling Nasarawa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Nasarawa United defender, Victor Collins, fired the visitors up 20 minutes into the game, while Cyril Olisema levelled matters for Akwa United before the break.
Collins, however, turned villain as he turned the ball into the back of his own net to put the Promise Keepers 2-1 ahead, but a late goal from Anas Yusuf restored parity for the Solid Miners, who are still swimming in relegation waters.
Meanwhile, league top scorer, Emeka Obioma, has taken his tally to double figures this season as Enyimba recorded their first win in the second stanza and first in five matches by beating Plateau United 2-1 in Aba.
Imo Obot scored first for the People’s Elephants, while Obioma doubled the advantage for his 10th goal of the season, Chimezie Izuchukwu reduced the deficit for Plateau. The win returns Enyimba into third position with 21 points from 13 games.
In Group B, Lobi Stars maintained their lead with a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors, thanks to two first half goals from Abba Umar and Joseph Atule. Baba Ganaru’s side lead the pack with 23 points from 12 matches, following the goalless draw between Niger Tornadoes and second-place Rivers United in Kaduna.
Elsewhere in Akure, Sunshine Stars were held to another draw in front of their home fans as travelling Enugu Rangers forced them to a 1-1 stalemate. Ibrahim Yusuf’s fourth goal of the season had put the Owena Whales up in the 14th minute, but the lead only lasted 14 minutes as Chidiebere Nwobodo levelled matters for the Flying Antelopes.