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| 90minsgist 📺 |
Football fans were left in shock on Sunday evening after violent scenes erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, where Kano Pillars hosted Shooting Stars (3SC) in a tense NPFL Matchday 8 encounter.
The match, which ended 1–1, was marred by crowd violence following a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser from the visitors, Shooting Stars.
According to reports, SaharaReporters learned that moments after the away team scored, furious Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch, physically assaulting the referee, match officials, and several Shooting Stars players.
Witnesses said the chaos was so intense that security operatives had to fire teargas to disperse the crowd and restore order. 😨
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| Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano this evening 📸 |
💥 How It Happened
Trouble began immediately after Shooting Stars’ late equaliser, which came deep into stoppage time. The goal sparked jubilation among the away fans but infuriated sections of the home supporters, who accused the referee of bias.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that fans broke through the security barricades, wielding sticks and other objects as they charged toward the officials. In the ensuing chaos, match referees and players were forced to sprint toward the tunnel for safety.
> “It was total confusion. Once Shooting Stars scored, the fans lost control. They jumped the barriers, ran into the pitch, and started chasing the referee. Security had to fire teargas to push them back,” said a journalist present at the scene.
Images obtained from the stadium show dozens of fans flooding the pitch, while police and stewards struggled to contain the situation.
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🚔 Security Struggles and NPFL’s Ongoing Challenge
This latest incident once again highlights the persistent issue of fan violence in Nigerian football, particularly in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
Although no official statement has been released by the LMC or NPFL authorities, calls are growing louder for tougher sanctions to deter such behavior — including stadium bans, heavy fines, and points deductions for clubs whose supporters incite violence.
This is not the first time the NPFL has witnessed such unruly behavior.
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⚽ Similar Incident in Ibadan Earlier This Year
Back in April, a similar scene unfolded in Ibadan when angry Shooting Stars fans held players, coaches, referees, and journalists hostage for over an hour after a goalless draw against Ikorodu City.
Samuel Bamisebi, spokesperson for Ikorodu City FC, told SaharaReporters that military personnel had to intervene to evacuate trapped players and officials.
> “As you saw in the viral video, players, coaches, and officials were held hostage inside the dressing room after the game. It took the intervention of the military before everyone could leave safely,” Bamisebi revealed.
He further explained that although no Shooting Stars players were injured, Ikorodu City supporters weren’t as lucky — their bus was vandalized, and several fans were assaulted during the chaos.
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⚠️ Time for Action
Incidents like these continue to tarnish the image of Nigerian football. The NPFL management and security agencies must step up enforcement and ensure that stadiums remain safe for both players and supporters.
Violence has no place in football. The spirit of the game should be about passion, not aggression.
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