The opening game of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League season between Kano
Pillars and FC IfeanyiUbah in Kano was abandoned following a protest by the Anambra Warriors, reports
Completesportsnigeria.com. The hosts were leading 1-0 courtesy of goal scored by
Gambo Mohammed on the half hour mark before the incident. The first half ended on a controversial note with the centre referee Folusho Ajayi from Oyo State disallowing what FC Ifeanyi Ubah insisted was a legitimate goal.
The game was abandoned five minutes into second half when referee Ajayi sent an FC IfeanyiUbah official into the stands for unsportsmanly behaviour with the away side refusing to continue play despite pleas by the match commissioner. The encounter started on a blistering note with the two teams keen to stamp their authority. It was the visitors who carved out the first chance of the game on 12 minutes through Yaya Kone but the forward failed to direct his attempt at goal. Two minutes later later, Rabiu Ali failed to hit the target for Pillars from a decent goal scoring position. The breakthrough came for Pillars in the 30th minute with Gambo firing the ball past Ikechukwu Ezenwa after the initial effort by Amos Gyang hit the upright. The home side were forced to make a substitution eight minutes from the break when new signing from Ikorodu United Kabiru Balogun limped off the pitch and wasreplaced by Nafiu.
Gambo came close to doubling Pillars lead three minutes before half time but his fierce shot was kept
away Ezenwa.
