…LMC Keeps Mute

By Amaechi Agbo

It is no longer news that the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season began with some dramas on Sunday but what is confounding is the recent development that Wikki Tourists of Bauchi have “walked over” Sunshine Stars of Akure in a rescheduled matchday 1 of the League in Akure, Ondo State.

In the match which was initially slated to hold on Sunday but was shifted to Monday, December 20, 2021 after Wikki Tourists failed to complete their player registration formalities before the commencement of the league.

Appeals by Sunshine Stars management for the match to be considered over in their favour on Sunday was not conceded as the League Management Company, LMC reportedly rescheduled the match to hold on Monday.

On arrival at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode for the match on Monday by Wikki Tourists, their hosts, Sunshine Stars failed to show up, consequently, they away team “walked over” the host team.

Wikki Tourists confirmed the said “walk over” in a statement signed by its media officers.

“WIkki Tourists FC has worked over Sunshine Stars of Akure in the postponed match day 2 (matchday 1) of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

The match was supposed to have taken place tomorrow (Sunday, yesterday) but was postponed to today Monday 20/12/2021.

“On arrival at the stadium,Sunshine Stars failed to show up while match officials and Wikki Tourists were at the stadium and waited for Sunshine till 4:15pm when centre referee Bashir Salihu addressed Wikki Tourists players that they have done the needful by reporting for the match saying that he will inform the relevant authority (LMC) on what happened,” the club said.

Meanwhile, the LMC has remained mute on what transpired at the Stadium on Sunday and is yet to make official statement on the abandoned match.

It could also be recalled that Rangers International FC were held hostage in Katsina after they defeated the home team 2-1 on Sunday.