Abandoned Pillars/Enyimba Game Rescheduled By LMC.

The League Management Company (LMC), the body in charge of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has rescheduled the Week 31 match between Kano Pillars and Enyimba, which the Aba side abandoned with three minutes to spare because of encroachment.

The League Management Company.
The League Management Company.

Head of the Media Department of the LMC, Kasali Obanoyen, wrote in an e-mail to Daily Trust on Monday, the match will now be played on Sunday, September 29.

The venue of the rescheduled fixture was however not revealed, but a source close to the LMC secretariat disclosed to Daily Trust that the match will be played in Abuja.

The LMC, last Sunday, declared tougher sanctions on pitch encroachment and the intimidation of match officials in the Glo Premier League and this could as well serve as a note of warning to other clubs.

Last week, Enyimba abandoned their mid-week tie against table toppers Kano Pillars, after a Mohammed Gambo’s late goal gave the hosts, Pillars, an edge over the visitors.

‘The People’s Elephant’ later claimed they were beaten up by fans and so refused to continue the match for fear of safety.

Pillars Media Officer Idris Malikawa has debunked the issue of pitch encroachment, stating that the fans took to the pitch to celebrate their goal hero and were dispatched immediately.

“The security at the stadium dispatched them back to the stand under five minutes and the centre referee put the ball at the centre, called Enyimba to restart the game but they refused. The referee then waited for the remaining three minutes of the game and sounded the final whistle,” Malikawa said.

Another abandoned league match involving hosts Kwara Unites and Warri Wolves has been rescheduled for September 29.

The modalities of play for the rescheduled fixtures were also not revealed at the time of this report.