Kwara United gain promotion to NPFL ; Ranchers Bees fined =N=1.2 million after pitch encroachment, beating referee

Charles Ozigbo

Kwara United Football Club yesterday gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League, courtesy of the decision of the Nigeria National League on its abandoned rescheduled match against Ranchers Bees of Kaduna.

The NNL in a letter to the two clubs signed by its scribe Mr. Lawrence Katken, awarded three points and three goals to the Afonja Warriors in line with article 4.3(1) for Ranchers’ encroachment on the field of play which caused the discontinuation of the match.While Kwara United got the ticket to the premier league, Ranchers Bees was fined N1.2 million and three of its players and two officials were banned for one year each.

The NNL said Ranchers is fined N1, 000,000 in line with article 4.3(1) and 4.3(5) as well as pay the sum of N200, 000 for assault on the match officials. A Referee from Anambra State, Charles Ozigbo received the beating of his life over the weekend at the Fifa Goal Project Technical Centre in Abuja during the National League Week 30 tie between Ranchers Bees and Kwara United after he was pounced on by fans allegedly loyal to Kaduna based Bees.

The initial game between the two teams was abandoned in the 62nd minute at 2-2 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna some weeks ago after Afonja Warriors’ players had to run for safety over threat on their lives from home fans who wanted Ranchers Bees’ return to the top flight at all costs.

Hell was let loose when the referee awarded a penalty against Ranchers Bees and their fans invaded the pitch to pounch on Ozigbo who was beaten to a state of coma before he was eventually rescued.

Ranchers Bees needed a draw to qualify for the premier league after many years in the lower league while a win would see Kwara United gain an instant return to the top flight after a season in the lower cadre.