June 15, (THEWILL)- In another ugly incident at the domestic level of football in Nigeria, there was a pitch invasion by the crowd at the Kano Pillars match on Sunday evening.
This came after the referee struck off a late Pillars’ goal against Akwa United because of an offside call.
The incident was grave enough to evoke Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa to address the club and fans on the necessity to respect the rules of the game at all times but most especially in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic when extra caution is recommended.
As THEWILL reported, in April, the 28-year-old returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and joined Pillars on a temporary deal until the end of the season, or until he secured a new contract with a foreign-based club.
On Sunday, Pillars clashed against Akwa United in a top of the table fixture at a Matchday 27 tie that was played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kakuri, Kaduna where the football was marred by violence due to the pitch invasion for the disallowed goal.
As a consequence the match was suspended forthwith with the matching officials ceding the remaining three minutes of regulation time. The league allowed the remaining minutes to be played and completed the following day, which was Monday.
Musa took to his official Twitter account to call for better from the fans, insisting that the rules of the game ought to be strictly followed and irresponsible behaviour as was witnessed on Sunday only served to portray the domestic game in a bad light.
By way of disciplinary action, the League Management Committee (LMC) has fined Pillars N5 million for not flouting COVID-19 protocols while also slamming them with another fine of N2.5 million for the behaviour of their fans on Matchday 27.
The full text of Ahmed Musa’s message reads: “It is disheartening to write this but unfortunately, it has to be said. In a bid to be patriotic or represent our home country, some of us decided to play for the league with pleasure.
“In as much as I commend officials who handle games in the leagues across Nigeria, it is imperative to add that a lot still needs to be done to keep our football growing to the heights it deserves.
“There are a lot of areas that need to be worked on so that players can be at their optimal best and play football as it should be in accordance with the laws of the game where fair play is enshrined by all and sundry.
“It is time every stakeholder is involved and with pure intent, to keep raising the level of the game. That is the mindset and the vision I had when I decided to come back home and play.
“Despite what I have seen, I am encouraged to believe that this is achievable if we put our minds to it. There are a lot of players like me who want to come back home and play in the league and I am sure they are watching as everything unfolds with rapt attention.
“All I, and by extension other players want to do is play football and contribute our quota to the growth of the sport at home. If this is to be achieved, then the needful has to be done
“I would like to state categorically that we are patriotic and will relish to come back and contribute our quota but the needful has to be done by all parties to improve the competency and fairness of the management of the game by those saddle with the responsibility to do so.
“The time for action is now.
“To the fans, I want to implore you to obey the law at all times especially in these dire times we are occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is my wish to play in front of the fans but we have to play within the laws that are set by the Nigeria Football Fe Company. ration an the League Management
“That is how you support your team.
“Please do not take the laws into your hands. Let us learn to obey the authorities. Stay at home and cheer your team all the time until when the authorities feel it is safe for you to return to the stadiums.
“Thank you.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
