By KATE OBODO
Enugu Rangers have described their match at the Sardauna Memorial Stadium, Gusau against  Zamfara United last Sunday which ended 1-0 in favour of the homers as the worst they have seen this season following the insecurity during the match.

They have therefore, called on the management of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL to take drastic measure on the issue of insecurity in the league especially at the Guasu stadium.

Media officer of the team Foster Chime while narrating events during the Guasu match said: “Rangers’ Week 25 match against Zamfara Utd in Guasu last Sunday could best be described as a shame.

The match commenced 32 minutes behind schedule because of inadequate security coupled with post match intimidation, harassments and threat to the match officials by the supporters of Zamfara FC. But for the intervention of the acting NPL chairman, Shehu Gusau  the match couldn’t have commenced.”

“ Rangers scored a well deserved  goal 10 minutes into the second half but it was cancelled by centre referee Amao Opayemi from Kwara state even when his assistant, Adebiyi. M.K from Oyo did not raise his flag. Eight minutes to the end of the match, he allowed an off-side goal by Zamfara. During the match, the fans were throwing stones and pure water sachets one of which landed on our goalkeeper which resulted in the match being held up for several minutes.

Honestly, if this continues it will not help our league to grow. It is glaring that any team which goes to play in Zamfara plays under tension. The NPL should do something in order to eradicate such act if there must be a well developed league. They should be able to provide security especially when any team is playing in the north,” he said.

Meanwhile, coach of the Zamfara side, Alhassan Mohammed has denied the allegation of hooliganism levelled against Guasu fans by Rangers.

According to Mohammed, the match appeared to be a good match except for the fact that there was violence from their fans, which he said was resolved due to unfair officiating.

“Yes they threw pure water sachets but they did not throw stones. Before now, they used to throw stones but they have learned their lesson.

The goal we scored against Rangers  was a well deserved one, there was no tricks involved. It was not an offside goal, there was no complaints about it.

Though Rangers were a good team but then we were playing with determination and don’t forget we were playing at home and everything was behind us. One thing I know about Rangers is that they are a strong side but for the fact that we won that match, we were the better side on that day,” Mohammed said.

Bukola ready for Sharks  —Chukwuemeka

By KATE OBODO
Bukola Babes FC says they are battle ready for the Sharks FC of Port Harcourt on Sunday in Ilorin .
Having lost with several home games, the Ilorin based side they will strive hard to ensure they defeat the Port Harcourt side.

Disclosing this to Inside Out Premier League, the team’s Team Manager Alloy Chukwuemeka said : “It is a must win match in the sense that our first match against Sharks which was our first match in the Premier League, we drew the match.

We lost severally chances due to hard luck. This home match will not be taken for granted. We must go all out and win to satisfy our fans. We have apologized to them and have told them that we are on course.

He however, disclosed why the team could not maintain its position at the initial stage of the season.

“Well, we started well by occupying the third position in the league for several weeks until we dropped to this point.

The rigor of travelling here and there and alongside with fatigue got us to this level. And as it is now we are in the middle of the table. I hope we will compete favourably to be among the first four,” Chukwuemeka said.