Plateau United team

Leaders Plateau United Football Club of Jos maintained their place at the summit of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday after a 2-1 away win.

They beat hosts Sunshine Stars FC of Akure in a week 23 match of the competition, after a controversy that led to game disruption.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game had ended 1-0 in the half time in favour of the home team after Ezekiel Thompson nodded in a free kick.

The visitors equalised in the 61st minute through substitute Emmanuel Odafe.

Trouble however started when Plateau United took the lead from a long throw-in.

Officials and players of Sunshine Stars protested that the goal scored was a product of a handball infringement.

A scuffle began immediately, with the first assistant referee collapsing on the ground after Sunshine Stars goalkeeper David Ariyo appeared to hit him in the chest.

This led to a stoppage of play for about 20 minutes, as it took the medical team some time to revive the assistant referee.

After Ariyo was sent off by the centre referee for dissent and play resumed, the visiting side held on to take the maximum three points from the game.

(NAN)