By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Chief Coach of visiting Bendel Insurance football club of Benin, Edo state, Mr. Kennedy Boboye yesterday (Sunday) faulted the verdict of the Nigerian Football Premier League (NPFL), officiating officials accusing them of high level bias against his team.
The match between the host, Niger Tornadoes Football club of Minna and visiting Bendel Insurance their which suffered series of hitches causing extension of time ended after 6pm with 2-2 draw.
The Bendel Insurance took control of the game throughout the first half and scored its first goal in the first 60 seconds.
The second goal which came less ten minutes to the end of the first half however could not be sustained in the second half as the host, Niger Tornadoes resisted further encroachments by their opponent.
Niger Tornadoes took control of the game by scoring its first goal about 30 minutes into the game, followed by an equalizer less than 20 minutes into the second half.
Meanwhile, the Coach of Bendel Insurance, Kennedy Boboye have accused the Refrees of high level bias against his boys.
Boboye speaking to members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), shortly the match said it was unfortunate that some Refrees for pecuniary reasons go against professional standards, a development he said does not speak well of him as individual and Football industry in Nigeria generally.
"We all watched the game, it is also on records, Bendel Insurance played this match against the refrees, not against their opponent".
"I can say nothing more than this, we all saw all that happened", Boboye said as he insisted that, against rules of the game, the officiating officials awarded the match in favour of the host, Niger Tornadoes.
In quick reaction however, Niger Tornadoes Chief Coach, Mohammed Majin said he is surprised by the Bendel Insurance Coach's allegations of favoritism in the encounter.
Majin whose team is already down with 2 points after their last away match with Bayelsa United that ended in 0-0 draw said his boys simply restrategized and fought back to equalize 2-2 in the second half to regain ground.
Our correspondent reports that the stadium became very rowdy in the second half with supporters of the home team started exhibiting level of hostility against the visiting team.
Stones, sachet/bottle water and other handy items which started flying into the pitch shortly after Bendel Insurance scored their fist goal and second goals soon increased and fans started raining abuses on the visiting team officials. NNL.
