Fan takes match ball away to stop IUFC against Udalla FC tie 

The word ‘inconclusive’ which has found its way into the political vocabulary of the nation has crept into Nigeria’s football lexicon following the incident that overshadowed Thursday’s NEROS/Anambra FA Cup second round match involving title holders, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Nationwide League One (NLO) side, Udalla FC at Nnewi.

The incident which brought association football into disrepute has become the talking point of football fans as the social media has been feasting on it.

The two sides had settled for a one all draw and resorted to penalty kicks when an unidentified fan majestically walked onto the pitch and took the match ball away, unchallenged.

Before then, both sides have taken one penalty kick each and converted them.

The defiant hooligan walked away and was joined by two others waiting for him near the corner flag.

The referee, his assistant and other spectators watched helplessly as the rest of the match balls disappeared, forcing the game to be rendered ‘inconclusive’.

Vice chairman of Anambra state football association, Barrister JBC Obikwelu said Friday a decision will be taken and that it was not proper to pre-empt anything.

A frustrated Philip Udalla, chairman of Udalla FC said they will launch a strong worded protest on the incident.

“We will protest, the rule is clear on situations like this so technically, my team has qualified for the next round of the competition”, chief Udalla fired.

In another second round match Thursday at Rojenny Stadium, Cardinal Arinze FC squeezed past Terish FC 2-1 to set up a quarter final confrontation with the eventual winner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah/Udalla FC.