NPFL22 Recap: Violence erupts as Plateau United hold Gombe to draw
Sunshine Stars claim win over Wikki
Gombe United and Plateau United rounded off Matchday 14 of NPFL22 with a 1-1 draw at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, with Plateau United retaining second place on the log. The fans of the Savannah Scorpions caused a huge ruckus at the final whistle.
The Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored Plateau United were up against a newly-promoted Gombe United side that were yet to concede a single goal at home in NPFL22. They looked to regain top spot in the league after Rivers United had moved ahead of them with a win of their own.
The Peace Boys looked to show that they meant business and went ahead after only 23 minutes through top scorer Jesse Akila. The striker latched onto a pass from Mohammed Zulkifilu before showing nerves of steel to coolly lift the ball over the onrushing Gombe United goalkeeper Itodo Akor.
Gombe United took the game to the Peace Boys from then, and Plateau United reserve goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso was called into action soon enough. The former Kano Pillars goalkeeper did brilliantly to save a penalty from Gombe United star Ibrahim Yahaya in the 40th minute. The experienced goalkeeper also thwarted the home side’s top scorer AbdulAzeez Yusuf as the forward looked to draw his side level in the second half.
The home side were finally rewarded for their incessant pressure as Yahaya redeemed himself with a finish from close range after a cross from Sani Shehu found its way to him in the 62nd minute, ensuring that both sides shared the spoils in the match.
The fans of Gombe United carried out a horrible attack on the team bus conveying the Plateau United personnel from the stadium, hurling missiles and objects at the boss and causing damage to the bus. They also injured a number of officials of the visiting team.
Elsewhere, Sunshine Stars defeated Wikki Tourist 2-1 in their rescheduled NPFL22 Matchday One clash in Ijebu Ode thanks to a brace from striker Leonard Ugochukwu. Wikki Tourist forward Manu Garba pulled one back for the visitors from Bauchi.
