Wild Scenes in Owerri As Nigeria’s Version of VAR Came to Play in Dramatic NPFL Encounter

• NPFL season resumed in December and drama ensued during the game between Heartland and Dakkada
• The hosts had scored into the porous net in the 69th minute and the center referee was unsure of the situation
• The match official was made to see replays of that strike through the monitor of a cameraman before he awarded the goal

The Nigerian Professional Football League game between Heartland and Dakkada FC which was played at the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri resulted into dramatic scenes in the latter stages of the encounter, Instablog reports.

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

After the first half had ended goalless, both sides began the second half with more intent as they pressed for the goal.

However in the 69th minute, Heartland's Charles Emmanuel put the ball into the back of the net for the hosts but the referee was late in his decision in awarding the goal.

Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen sends strong warning to Egypt and AFCON Group D opponents

Football

Angry fans in the stands expressed frustrations and charged that the ball went into the net and the ball ripped through to the other side.

And in a swift, 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.

After several replays, the goal was awarded and Heartland claimed all three points of the match as it ended in their favour 1-0.

Nigerian journalist and famous commentator Ralph Chidozie George wrote:

“Drama as Nigeria's version of VAR came to play in an #NPFL game in Owerri. Was more like video recording assist but it caused more harm than good. Many things I do not understand.”

5 NPFL stars join Eagles in camp

Meanwhile, Nigeria opened their camp for the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, December 29, as reports claim only a few players were expected.

PSL denies Kaizer Chiefs postponement requests, dividing Mzansi on social media

Football

Five players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) were also drafted to join the squad in training and act as standby.

Nigeria are drawn in Group D of the tournament alongside Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan and will begin their campaign against the Pharaohs on January 11.

Native doctor predicts winner of AFCON 2022

Sports Brief earlier reported that the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations will start in Cameroon on January 9 and there are so many predictions from various quarters as regards who will win the title, Independent NG reports.

A famous Senegalese traditional doctor identified as Kahone, has “prophesied” that the Terenga Lions will win the trophy this year.

Several prophecies about AFCON At the moment, not just Kahone has predicted the winner of the tournament as a famous Nigerian cleric Primate Ayodele said in his December prophecy that the nation’s National Football Team, Super Eagles will not win the AFCON.