Nigeria , August 11, 3016 – Heavy rains and subsequently, a waterlogged pitch prematurely halted proceedings in the rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest between Rivers United and Ikorodu United in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The weather forecast before kick was not too favourable and the heavens eventually opened about 12 minutes before kick-off.It did not deter the two sides from commencing the game with the match officials deciding that the conditions were good enough.
The hosts dominated for long stretches but met the Ikorodu United rear guard in uncompromising form. Guy Kuemian’s shot which came off the post in the 21st minute represented the best opportunity for Rivers United to open the scoring as they laboured to break down a well-marshalled Ikorodu United defence. The contest will now resume from the 37th minute (when the game was stopped) on Friday, August 12 from 8am at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
Match Commissioner, Likate Bala said the decision to call of the game after the pitch became unplayable was in line with what ‘the rule says in these situations’.
“The pitch is water-logged and we cannot continue. And the rule says in these situations, we will repeat the match the next day. We have played 37 minutes so by tomorrow (Friday) from 8am, we will resume the rest of the match,” Bala told Rivers United Media. Rivers United is currently in third place on the NPFL standings while Ikorodu United is in 19th place.
