NNL Management Humiliated As Circumstances Beyond Control Delays Super 8 Final Game

NNL Management Humiliated As Circumstances Beyond Control Delays Super 8 Final Game By Akin Akinsehinde The Management of Nigeria National League (NNL) was humiliated as they were dumbfounded and confused in what to do to salvage situation in the game between Remo Stars versus Bendel Insurance. The management could not decide whether the game that was not played for two hours should be postponed or walked over. Remo Stars had stayed on the pitch for two hours waiting for their opponents, Bendel Insurance who refused to enter into pitch for their last group crucial match which determines who among them pick the promotion ticket to the Nigeria Professional Football League.. According to FIFA rule, the center referee supposed to award three points and three goals to Remo Stars after five minutes of wait for opponents to grace the pitch. But in this case, even after two hours on the pitch the management hands were tied as situation beyond their control led to postponement of the match to Sunday. During the controversies, the CEO of the League, Senator Obinna Ogba had said that Remo Stars should be awarded three points and three goals but the powers that be said such decision cannot hold. It was alleged that the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu called NFF President, Amaju Pinnick on phone and threatened to expose them if they try to walk over the club. Bendel Insurance had complained about the center referee, saying that the initial center referee apointed for the game has been changed. Based on this, Bendel Insurance insisted they will not honour the game until the referee is changed. This forced the NNL to hold meeting with the match officials and at end of the meeting, they agreed to change the referee for another one. Despite this, Bendel Insurance were not satisfied as they claimed they cannot play under the flood lights, hence the game was postponed to Sunday.