Giwa FC of Jos failed to show up for a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League game with Rangers FC at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday.
Both sides had met in a Week 12 fixture at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos but the game had to be called off in the 74th minute after being disrupted by the home fans with Rangers already a goal up.
The League Management Company (LMC) among other sanctions fined the home team the sum of N5 million and had them banished to Ilorin Township Stadium where they will play their next three home games – ordering the game to be continued on April 27 in Abuja.
However, Giwa FC failed to honour the remaining 16 minutes of the encounter – meaning the club owned by the head of the aggrieved faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Giwa, will be walked over with three points and goals awarded to Rangers.
What this means is that the six-time Nigerian champions with 27 points, have established a four-point lead at the top of the log – while Giwa FC, with 13 points from 13 games, are languishing at the foot of the log in 18th position.
In other rescheduled NPFL games played on Wednesday, Heartland forced champions, Enyimba, to a 1-1 draw in an ‘Oriental Derby’ clash played in Umuahia, while Sunshine Stars spanked Nasarawa United 3-0.
Peter Onyekachi strike for the People’s Elephant in the 27th minute was cancelled out by Ifeanyi Onuigbo four minutes later with both sides settling for a share of the spoils.
Enyimba, who are still in contention for this year’s CAF Champions League, now have 13 points from nine matches, while Heartland are on 18 points from 13 matches.
In Akure, Afolabi Okiki grabbed a brace with Samad Kadiri scoring the other as Sunshine moved to 12th on the standings with 17 points – while Nasarawa slipped to 16th with two points less.
How the teams stand in the #NPFL after today’s matches. pic.twitter.com/6ArwfcaHfI
— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) April 27, 2016
