By Amaechi Agbo

The Matchday 27 encounter of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL, between Kano Pillars and Akwa United on Sunday at the Ahmed Bello Stadium,  Kaduna State was abandoned after 88th of play, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Findings by this paper indicate that the abandonment of the match with just 2 minutes to regulation was due to fans encroachment to the field of play.

The fans encroached into the stadium to protest a disallowed goal by the centre referee in favour of the home team.

Pillars striker, Nyima Nwagua scored in the 88th minute through a pass by Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa but while the centre referee pointed to a restart for goal, his assistant indicated that the the striker was offside before he scored the goal.

The League Management Company, LMC who confirmed the abadonement of the match however did not give express reason for such act.

“88′ Kano Pillars 0-0 Akwa Utd #PILAKW #NPFL21

“Nyima Nwagua scores from Ahmed Musa’s assist but the assist (ant) ref’s (referee’s) flag was up for offside.

“The ref (referee) goes to the line to consult with his assistant on the outcome of that move,” the league management body said on its Facebook page.

Later, LMC said “Kano Pillars 0-0 Akwa Utd #PILAKW #NPFL21

“Match interrupted.”

The entrance of fans into the stadium was in flagrant disobedience to the Covid-19 protocols which does not allow spectators into the field of play in any Nigerian football matches.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF had last week issued a directive to all clubs and league managers to ensure the implementation of Covid-19 safety rules including none entrance of fans to stadiums.

Stakeholders and journalists have expressed worries that with the situation in Kaduna, Kano Pillars will not be punished for their irresponsible act.

“I am sure there must be gate takings.

“Ironically, Kano Pillars and Katsina United are above the law. They will never be sanctioned.

“The same way Rabiu Ali was pardoned after the Lagos saga telling us he has repented and his punishment was replaced with community service.

“Different rules for different clubs in the same league,” a journalist said.

Shamsudeen Adam called on LMC to be just and fair to every team in the league
“LMC have to be just and fair to every team, we scored a clean goal but they disallowed it.

”This is what you planned that is why you couldn’t display the match live,” he said on LMC Facebook page.

Solomon Ibrahim said the goal was “offside”
“I am a Pillars fan, but unfortunately that goal was a clear offside. If you’re there you’ll know.”

Although no official statement has come from either LMC or Pillars management, a 26 futage video made available showed Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa appealing to the large crowd to be calm.

The match has however been rescheduled to continue by 8am on Monday.