Football enthusiasts were excited at the large turnout of football fans at the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday35 clash between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba FC of Aba at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.
In spite of the late minute disruption of the game, spectators were excited with the scintillating display of skills and energy from both teams before the game was abandoned.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 22,000 capacity stadium was filled to capacity with about the same number standing in the overflow section.
Rommy Ezeonwuka, Managing Director of Rojenny Stadium and Games Village, Oba near Onitsha, said the crowd at the stadium was a reminder of the golden days of the Nigerian football league.
He expressed happiness that the Nigerian league which had been abandoned for European leagues could be appreciated once again in his time lifetime
“What I saw can only be compared to the crowd that we used to have at Rojenny Stadium in the 90s and early 2,000s during the days of the defunct Udoji United FC.
“I am impressed with the crowd in Enugu, that is how our league used to be before European football killed it. I am hopeful that our football will be great again; I hope to see Rojenny come alive again.
“I cannot talk about what led to the abandonment of that beautiful match but our league officials must convince us that they mean well, how the whole crowd can be against their decision,” he said.
Also speaking, Olisa Onuchukwu, an ex-Rangers International player, said the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium had not seen such a crowd since it was inaugurated in January 1986.
Onuchukwu said the game would have gone down as the greatest in the history of the league if not for the last minute confusion.
Ikem Asika, an ace sports journalist, regretted the circumstances that brought the game to an abrupt end.
He called on the officials of the football league to be careful in their decision in order to save the game from disrepute.