The highly anticipated Oriental Derby between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba FC ended in chaos on Sunday, leaving fans and officials bewildered.
The match, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, saw an impressive turnout with over 30,000 fans in attendance, contributing to ticket sales exceeding 10 million Naira.
The tightly contested game remained goalless as it approached the final minutes of regulation time.
With the referee signalling eight minutes of added time, tensions were already high.
However, the situation escalated dramatically in the 99th minute when the referee awarded a controversial penalty to Enugu Rangers.
Enyimba players vehemently protested the decision, leading to a heated exchange.
Efforts to calm the situation and resume play were futile as the tension boiled over into chaos.
The controversial penalty decision triggered a pitch invasion by disgruntled Enyimba fans, causing a complete breakdown of order.
The referee, players, and officials were forced to abandon the match for safety reasons.
Enyimba players staged a walk-out, refusing to continue the game, which further aggravated the situation.
The referee, left with no other option, halted the match amidst the pandemonium.
The disruption not only tarnished the image of the league but also raised serious concerns about security and crowd control at football matches.
This match was significant not just for the on-field rivalry but also for the record-breaking attendance.
The Oriental Derby drew the highest number of away fans in a decade, highlighting the intense interest in the fixture.
The financial success, marked by over 10 million Naira in ticket sales, was overshadowed by the unfortunate events that led to the abandonment of the game.
The abandonment of the Rangers vs. Enyimba match reflects the need for better crowd management and stricter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) will likely investigate the events and implement necessary actions to maintain the integrity and safety of the sport.
