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.Rivers, Lobi clash in P/Harcourt
After the ‘VAR’ drama that overshadowed their hard-fought 1-0 defeat of Doma United in Aba at the weekend, defending champions, Enyimba, will meet Remo Stars, today, in what has been described as the star match of week 25 of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
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The game in Aba at the weekend was heading for a stalemate when Chijioke Mbaoma scored what was initially signalled as a goal by the centre referee, Nuhu Abdullahi.
Abdullahi later cancelled the goal and signalled for a goal kick only to change his decision again after watching the replay from NTA’s OB van at the stadium.
The referee’s attempt at using an improvised VAR during the game has drawn the ire of fans, who feel Abdullahi should have stuck to his earlier decision to award the goal or disallow it instead of resorting to the system he adopted in the match.
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The win shot Enyimba to the number two position on the league ladder, while former leaders, Remo Stars, dropped to the fifth position after their 4-1 defeat at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, by Sporting Lagos.
Leaders, Lobi Stars, are up against high-flying Rivers United in Lafia in another potential thriller, which result would either cement Lobi Stars’ leadership of the league or see them losing the position to any of Enyimba, Plateau United or Enugu Rangers.
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Lobi Stars lead the table with 43 points, one more than Enyimba while Plateau United and Rangers are on 41 points each.
Rivers United are way down in 14th position with 28 points, but they have played three games less than the rest of the teams due to their CAF Confederation Cup campaign. So, while a win will shoot them up the ladder, anything less than victory will see Lobi Stars surrendering their leadership of the log.
In today’s other matches, Plateau United will host Gombe United, Doma United are at home to 3SC, Kano Pillars and Rangers will clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium, while Akwa United will welcome Bendel Insurance.
Relegation-threatened Heartland of Owerri are at home to Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars will host Katsina United, Kwara United will entertain Bayelsa United, just as Sporting Lagos will travel to Kaduna for a date with Niger Tornadoes.
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