NUGA: Tension as UNILAG Defeats UNIJOS

 

Players and coach of the University of Jos on Monday alleged poor officiating after being defeated by the University of Lagos, 2-1.
They alleged that the officiating was one-sided in favour of UNILAG because their team proximity to Osun State.
The players, however, almost beat up the officials of the Nigeria Defense Corps but for prompt intervention by other officials.
Our correspondent observed that the security officer had attempted to calm the UNIJOS players when they got vexed immediately they realised he was a yoruba speaking person.
They also refuted journalists from interviewing their coach, saying they would break their gadgets.
"Why do you want to speak with our coach after you have cheated us. This a student game and you are being tribal with it again. If try to bring your camera or midget, we will break it and beat you up," they said.
According to them, the penalty awarded to UNILAG, which makes it equalise was wrongfully awarded.
The players also expressed dissatisfaction over the language of communication used by the officiating referee.
One of them wearing Jersey number two lamented that a assistant referees could not communicate in English, saying only the UNILAG team understood the officials.
"What necessitated the penalty? The referee was communicating with only one side and not the both of us. Imagine the lines man can't speak English.
But the Coach of the UNILAG team saw nothing wrong with the officiating. He said
While addressing the players, their coach was heard saying, "There is no amount of fight that can change the score of the game. Because they are from Lagos., they used it against us."
But the UNILAG team coach, Dr. Ogunsemore Macpherson, also faulted the officiating of the match but said the game was not biased.
"We forced the ball and malke use of our chances. We are still managing the team and we will make adjustment. The two assistant referees are very good but the centre man needs to adjust. Late calls really occurred in the match," he said.
However, late header by the UNILAG striker saw the team win the match.
While UNIJOS lost in football, it defeated Niger Delta University 36 to 34 in Male Basketball.