NFL: Bayelsa United, Heartland FC Face-off Suspended due to Waterlogging of Pitch
Oladunjoye Opeyemi
The Nigeria Premier League Match between Bayelsa United and Heartland FC on Saturday was called off after the pitch became completely waterlogged following heavy rain.
The referee was left with no choice but to suspend the Week 17 match in the 73rd minute, as the pitch at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Bayelsa United’s current home stadium, became so soaked that the ball was no longer bouncing. The match resumes at noon on Sunday.
Before the match was stopped, visitors Heartland FC had completely dominated play, having a 4-2 advantage with efforts from Jolly Osas; Bright Ejike, who scored a brace While Odili Iyasele and Peter Ebimobowei got their names on the score sheet for Bayelsa.
Another match between league newcomers Giwa FC and Nembe FC did not hold as the Nembe Squad failed to show up causing three points to be awarded to Giwa FC after the mandatory wait period expired.