Bendel Insurance and Remo Stars will eventually face off this morning in the delayed NNL Super 8 playoffs Group B last group game by 8am after the mild drama of yesterday and the back and forth from both teams that led to the decision by the NNL to shift the game.
Trouble began at around a few minutes to the 3pm kick off of Saturday when officials of Bendel Insurance started complaining about the composition of the match officials billed for their game with Remo Stars who were allegedly altered a few moments before their game without knowledge.
This sparked mass protest from the camp of Bendel Insurance and in a press release issued out the club said they will not proceed with game and they alleged that the match officials were changed to give room for manipulations to favour their opponent, Remo Stars.
The press release from the club and signed by its secretary, Charles Ihimekpen stated: “It has come to our knowledge that the match officials originally appointed for our last group game with Remo Stars, have been changed on the requests of Remo Stars.
“This followed earlier information available to us that Remo Stars have perfected plans to heavily influence Referees against Bendel Insurance FC to achieve their aim of winning at all cost.
“As a result of the foregoing, we are constrained to complain to the league and super 8 organizers that we will not respect the new arrangements because it is obvious the scrip of our opponents is being acted and will not allow fair play and level playing field.
“We appeal to the organizers to stick to the original plan if they are sincere that they are not aiding Remo Stars against Bendel Insurance FC.
“These and other reasons have made us come to the conclusion that everything is against Bendel Insurance FC.”
It was the same view that was expressed by former Lagos State Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria and an immediate past Local Government Chairman, Frank Ilaboya when he had a briefing with the media.
Sanity however prevailed after a meeting was held between officials of both teams and the NNL and they have agreed for the game to be played this morning and a new match officials named. Ndidi Madu is expected to be the arbiter for the game.
