Sport

NPFL results: Sunshine players protest last-minute penalty in loss to Ikorodu City

December 29, 2024 9:25 pm

Sunshine Stars FC players left the pitch for seven minutes in protest of a last-minute penalty during their 2-1 defeat to Ikorodu City FC at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday.

The Nigerian Professional League (NPFL) week 19 encounter was thrown into chaos in its last moments of added time when the referee awarded a penalty to the home side, resulting in an angry protest by the visiting players.

The Akure-based side’s players left the pitch holding up the match for seven minutes before returning to finish the encounter.

Shola Adelani and Chigozie Iwundu had scored for Ikorodu City and Sunshine Stars respectively in the first half before the late drama ensued in Lagos.

The Oga Boys piled on the pressure early on but waited until the 35th minute for their first real chance of the encounter, but Salau Yusuf could only find the side-netting from the opportunity.

They would take the lead three minutes later through Adelani who brilliantly dispatched his strike into the net for 1-0.

Alade Solomon thought he had made it two-nil but the referee chalked off his effort for offside on 44 minutes.

The controversy was saved for the final moments of the match when Ayomide Cole, a halftime substitute, was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded.

The decision did not go well with the visitors who left the pitch in protest, questioning the referee’s decision to award a penalty in the final minute of added time instead of blowing the final whistle.

They however returned to the pitch seven minutes later as Rivio Ayemwenre slotted his spot-kick into the top corner to seal all three points in the feisty Southwest derby.

Ikorodu City returned to winning ways with the victory — ending a three-match winless run — to move up to sixth position on the NPFL table with 28 points from 19 matches.

Sunshine Stars, winless in eight away games, are in 15th place with 21 points.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars scored an 81st-minute winner to defeat Akwa United 2-1 and move three points clear at the top of the table.

The Sky Blue Stars have amassed 36 points from 19 matches. Shooting Stars defeated Kwara United 2-1 to win the clash of warriors.

RESULTS