120 Minutes Of Sham As Lobi Stars Rob Heartland FC In Makurdi

Nigerian football came to a whole new low at the Aper Aku Stadium Sunday where the eighth wonders of the world were witnessed.

The referee from Sokoto conjured a voodoo penalty in the 7th minute but Chijioke Ejiogu saved it. Minutes later, Ejiogu went to parry a cross but a Lobi Stars Player viciously elbowed him in the air and as if that was not enough, he stamped Ejiogu on the Knee while landing but the referee turned a blind eye.

As Ejiogu was screaming in pain, the Heartland masseur and nurse alongside the Chief Coach dashed to help him when the referee called for medical attention.

On getting onto the pitch, the referee red-carded the nurse for leaving the Heartland without medical personnel. Heartland fought gallantly to see the first half off.
The referee gave 8 minutes of added time in the first half but that did not deter the lads.

The introduction of Chijioke Mbaoma and Alfred Alexander helped them battle Lobi Star for the extra 8 minutes.
Both teams hit the locker room honours even.

The second period had the referee awarding another penalty in the 54th minute which was converted by Imenger.

Heartland soldiered on and in the 66th minute after a lovely interplay of passes between Alexander Alfred and Ebuka Okoro, Murphy Ndukwu got on the end of Ebuka Okoro’s cross to restore parity to the scoreline.

The hosts turned the heat on Heartland with waves of relentless pressure but Heartland stood firm.

Ebuka Okoro will get a yellow card for dissent but the referee quickly issued a red card 30 seconds after dishing out a yellow card.

The referee in his wisdom allowed the game for 120 minutes. Lobi Star scored in the 117th minute.

Even when Mumaba collapsed on the pitch, the game didn’t last till eternity.

The robbery at Lobi is a locus in the history of daylight robberies in the Nigerian top flight. It marks an all-time low and reminds us of the rot in the league.

All eyes are now on League Management Committee (LMC) as it decides on the match.