Uproar As Official UEFA Champions League Match Ball Spotted in Nigeria Professional Football League Game

• UEFA Champions League official match ball seemed to have found its way into the Nigeria Professional Football League
• A customized UEFA Champions League ball was spotted during an NPFL tie which has sparked uproar among Nigerian fans
• Social media influencer Pooja shared the image on Twitter and a number of fans have condemned the league organisers

An official match ball of the UEFA Champions League was spotted in a Nigeria Professional Football League game according to reports.

Close camera shots show that an official match ball of Europe’s biggest club football competition has found its way into the NPFL.

The branded football, as shared by Twitter, Pooja, seems to have infuriated football fans who questioned the competence of the organisers of the Nigerian league.

Taking to Twitter, Pooja shared the picture along with the caption:

“Champions League ball used in Nigeria League. This country ehn.”

And a fan replied:

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“Sheyb d name of our league is Nigeria Champions league....or Nigeria UEFA champions league....I shaa don’t know but I think it's one of d two.”

Another added:

“Do we even have confidence that the ball is even a genuine one and not one just picked up at Ojuelegba on the way in? Could even be counterfeit oh.”

One said:

“We are just too far from it as far as football development is concerned. Our past was far better than the present, only God knows what the future holds.”

One wrote:

"This is another level of nonchalance and pettiness. I won't be surprised to hear that you can't go home with the match ball if you score a hat trick."

Gombe Utd vs Plateau United descends into chaos

Meanwhile, there was pandemonium during an NPFL clash involving hosts Gombe United and Plateau United earlier in the season.

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Irate fans attacked the visiting team after the encounter had ended in a draw. Jesse Akila had silenced the home fans midway through the first half following a cleverly finished goal to put his side ahead in the encounter.

The Pantami Stadium was filled to the brim and there were crowd disturbances at the end of the game as the visiting team bus was attacked.

It was alleged that Plateau United team doctor was injured in the process, while one of the assistant referees was also assaulted.

'VAR' comes to play in NPFL

Sports Brief earlier reported that the NPFL game between Heartland and Dakkada FC which was played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri resulted in dramatic scenes in the latter stages of the encounter.

It was the very first time the 'Video Assistant Referee' was consulted for a major decision in the Nigerian topflight.

Following confusion over a goal, one of the cameramen was led to the touchline by the fans who then summoned the referee to take a closer look through the monitor.