A controversial penalty in the 95th minute converted by Michael Olalusi gave Sunshine Stars FC all three points at stake in an ill-tempered Nigeria Premier Football League match decided at the Akure Township Stadium.
The Warriors kicked off on a bright note and had the first shot at goal in less than a minute of the start of the game.
It was a cagey affair from there on with both sides trying hard to get the first goal.
In the 14th minute, Adejoh Ojonugwa put the Warriors ahead: Samson Obi got the ball took on Sunshine Stars defender before sending a through ball to Ojonugwa, who made no mistake as he chipped the goalkeeper to score for Warriors.
As soon as the Warriors took the lead, the drama started as some questionable calls were made by the officials. In one instance, the ball had gone out of play for a corner to the home side but the referee allowed play to continue despite the linesman raising his flag.
A cross by the Stars winger appeared to hit the hand of an Abia Warriors player and the referee quickly signaled for a penalty. But the fourth official had to call his attention before he reversed his earlier poor call.
Nonetheless, in the 38th minute, Ekerete Udom drew the home side level as he was given enough space to beat Johnson Nmecha with a powerful header off a corner-kick.
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It ended 1-1 at the break and the second period produced the most bizarre of calls from the referee.
In the 57th minute, Pascal Nwabueze who was being subbed off was adjudged to be wasting time by the referee and he quickly issued him a second yellow and a subsequent red card thus reducing the visitors to 10 men.
However, the Warriors defied the numerical disadvantage and were poised to run away with at least a draw when the unexpected happened.
Five minutes into added time, Warriors defender Collins Nwoburuoke chased and ran ahead of a Stars striker off a long ball, the player pushed him in the process and the referee surprisingly pointed to the spot awarding a penalty to the home side and Olalusi held his nerves to give Sunshine Stars the lead.
The obviously frustrated Abia Warriors had no time to make amends as the game ended.
Up next for Abia Warriors is a home match against Katsina United this weekend at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
