Enugu Rangers vs Enyimba Match Ended in Chaos and was Abandoned

The Enugu Rangers vs Enyimba match, which took place on June 9, 2024, ended in chaos and was eventually abandoned. The match was highly anticipated as it was a title-deciding fixture in the 2023/2024 StarTimes/NPFL season. Enugu Rangers, leading the league with 61 points, hosted Enyimba, who were second with 59 points.

The game was marred by controversy when the referee awarded a late penalty to Rangers in the 99th minute. Enyimba players protested the decision and walked off the pitch, while Enyimba fans invaded the field, disrupting the match. The game was subsequently suspended.

The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment and frustration. The chaos at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu highlighted the need for better security and crowd control measures at football matches in Nigeria.

This incident is not the first time that a match between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba has been marred by controversy. In a previous encounter around 2008, Enyimba fans reportedly pulled down the gate to the stadium’s main bowl after a 1-1 draw, claiming they were cheated.

The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will likely face scrutiny over the incident, with calls for a thorough investigation and stricter penalties for crowd disturbances at matches.