There was drama on Sunday at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina State, as the Enugu Rangers International goalkeeper refused to leave the pitch after being awarded a red card by the referee.
The match was the first of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the 2021/2022 season and Rangers were away to Katsina United.
The encounter almost came to an abrupt end during the drama in the second half when Rangers goalkeeper stubbornly refused to leave the football pitch after the officiating referee handed him a red card.
Rather than observe the tradition of simply leaving the football field, the tall lanky goalie, instead ran to the centre of the field, facing the direction of the home team, repeatedly beat his chest to protest the decision of the referee and clearly to waste playing time as his team were already in the lead with two goals to one.
In their response, the home fans booed him and dared him to come out of the pitch and face them.
The stubborn goalkeeper finally left the pitch after about seven minutes following persuasion by the team officials along with security agents.
While he was leaving the pitch the home fans tried pelting him with water sachet leather but security agents stopped them.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of the away team.
There were reports that the home fans held the visiting team players hostage. But the management of Katsina United FC has since denied the allegation.
According to a statement by the club’s media aide, Nasir Gide, nothing of such took place.
The statement read, “Even though Katsina United FC lost their first match in the new season at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, nothing as such happened. Whoever is responsible for this write-up is just trying to tarnish the good image of Katsina United FC.
“The management, therefore, urges football loving fans, stakeholders and officials of the league management company to disregard such reports as it is baseless and full of lies.”