Tag: Katsina United

Kano Pillars will return to their traditional home ground, the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, after serving a five-match stadium ban while Katsina United will go back to their fortress in Katsina, following key decisions taken by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee at its meeting held on Wednesday.

The decision marks a major relief for the four-time Nigerian champions, who had been forced to play their home fixtures at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, after the Sani Abacha Stadium was closed indefinitely due to crowd trouble during their NPFL clash against Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on October 12, 2025.

After reviewing the protest lodged by Kano Pillars against the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sanctions, the NFF Disciplinary Committee upheld most of the earlier rulings but reduced the stadium closure to a five-match ban, which will be fully served at the end of the weekend’s Matchday 18 against Plateau United. This will clear the way for Kano Pillars to welcome fans back to Sani Abacha Stadium for subsequent home fixtures starting from the game with Nasarawa United in the last game of the first stanza next weekend.

In its findings, the Committee established that Kano Pillars failed to provide adequate and effective security, which allowed unauthorized persons access to restricted areas. It was also confirmed that home supporters threw objects onto the field of play, causing a temporary stoppage of the match.

More seriously, the Committee found that supporters encroached onto the pitch and assaulted Shooting Stars players and match officials, actions deemed capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

Club officials admitted the misconduct of their supporters and appealed for leniency.

But based on these findings, the Committee upheld a series of fines against Kano Pillars. These include: ₦1,000,000 for failure to provide adequate security; ₦1,000,000 for throwing objects onto the field of play; ₦1,000,000 each under partially adopted sanctions related to misconduct and unproven compensatory claims and ₦1,500,000 as compensatory damages to match officials, in line with Article C.12 of the NPFL Framework and Rules.

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In addition, the Committee upheld the deduction of three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ accumulated tally for the assault on match officials.

At the same sitting, the Disciplinary Committee also ruled on a protest involving Katsina United FC following their November 8, 2025 NPFL match against Barau FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

The Committee found Katsina United guilty of poor security arrangements, failure to control supporters, and throwing objects and stones onto the pitch, an incident that resulted in injury to Barau FC player Abraham Nana.

As a result, Katsina United were fined a total of ₦3,000,000 across various sanctions, while an earlier order moving the club to Jos City Stadium was reduced to a five-match ban. The ban will run concurrently and will elapse in Matchday 21 against Plateau United, after which Katsina United will return to their home ground to play matches with fans in attendance from the game with Abia Warriors the following home game.

The NFF Disciplinary Committee emphasized that all decisions reached are without prejudice to the right of appeal by the affected clubs.

Katsina United’s turbulent season plunged deeper into crisis yesterday afternoon after their players staged a protest over five months of unpaid salaries—just hours before their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 16 clash against Bendel Insurance, which they eventually lost 1–0.

The unrest unfolded at the team’s Ilorin camp, where frustrated players blocked the team’s coaster bus from departing for the George Innih Stadium, llorin, the venue of their league tie with Bendel Insurance. The protesting squad members insisted they would not honour the fixture unless the club addressed their salary arrears, which some players say date back to the start of the current campaign.

The standoff forced club officials into a last-minute scramble, resulting in the deployment of an alternative vehicle to convey the available players to the stadium. The disruption inevitably affected the team’s preparation and momentum, reflected in their laboured performance during the match.

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Bendel Insurance capitalised on the disjointed state of their hosts, sealing victory in the 72nd minute through Elmer Arunta’s composed finish—securing their first away win of the season and lifting them out of the relegation zone.

Amid the protest, Goalkeeper  John Enaholo voiced the frustrations of the squad, revealing that none of the 22 newly recruited players had received a single month’s salary.

 “All of us — the 22 new players — have not been paid for the past five months. It’s painful. We’ve complained many times but nothing has changed,” he said.

The incident adds to a growing list of off-field issues for Katsina United, who are already serving sanctions and playing at a neutral venue following crowd trouble in a previous fixture against Barau FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.

NPFL denies alleged slitting of player’s throat

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Katsina United with heavy sanctions following multiple breaches of the league’s Framework and Rules during their Matchday 12 fixture against Barau FC on Saturday.

According to a statement from the NPFL, the club failed to provide adequate and effective security at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, allowing unauthorised persons to access restricted areas during the match. This security lapse reportedly led to widespread disorder and attacks on visiting players and officials.

Supporters of Katsina United were also found guilty of throwing harmful objects onto the pitch, resulting in injuries to Barau FC players. The unruly fans further harassed match officials and members of the visiting team, behaviour described by the league body as “capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”

As part of the sanctions, Katsina United have been ordered to play all their subsequent home matches in Jos, Plateau State, and behind closed doors. The club has also been fined a total of ₦9 million for various infractions, including ₦1 million each for throwing objects, failing to control supporters, and bringing the game into disrepute. An additional ₦2 million fine was imposed for inadequate security.

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Furthermore, the club will pay ₦2 million each as compensation for the treatment of injured Barau FC players and damages to the visiting team’s buses, as well as for holding the match officials and away team hostage for several hours after the game.

Katsina United have 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.

In a related development, the NPFL in another statement said it was untrue the  reported slitting of  the throat of Abraham Nana of Barau FC, adding the  said player was hurt by an object hauled from the stands and was treated on the pitch which led to the match being halted for a few minutes.

According to the league body, NPFL Office maintains an active Situation Room with all Match Commissioners, and through this medium, we monitor and direct affairs to ensure hitch-free matches.

The NPFL  said  it will continue to uphold the rules to ensure fair competition and exciting League under safe atmosphere while assuring the ‘of safety at our matches through control measures put in place’.

Katsina United head coach, Abdulazeez Audu, has assured fans that the team will return stronger this weekend when they host Remo Stars, following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Rangers International FC in Enugu.

Speaking after the loss yesterday, Audu admitted that the decisive goal came as a surprise and credited Rangers’ winger for his impressive run that led to the breakthrough.

 “Rangers’ goal caught us unawares, and we had to respond to the impressive run of their winger,” Audu said.

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 “We just have to go back home and make the needed changes before our next game.”

The Katsina United tactician also lamented logistical issues that affected his team’s performance, revealing that they struggled to manage the closing stages of the game due to a shortage of match balls.

 “Our complaint was about the absence of enough balls to play. We played the last 20 minutes with just one ball,” he disclosed.

Looking ahead, Audu expressed optimism that his side will make the right adjustments to reclaim their winning form when they face Remo Stars in front of their home supporters.

 “We will go back and prepare for our home game with Remo Stars. We will try to make a few changes,” he concluded.

The 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off in dramatic fashion, with Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United grabbing eye-catching away wins to set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.

The weekend began with a high-profile 1-1 draw between last season’s top two, Remo Stars and Rivers United, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Friday. However, it was the exploits of Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United that stole the spotlight.

Warri Wolves, newly promoted to the topflight, stunned Katsina United 1-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Igbunnu Evwierhurhoma netted the decisive goal in the 76^th  minute to mark a dream return for the Napoleon Aluma-led side. Having won promotion through the NNL Super 8 and impressed during the preseason in Yenagoa, the Seasiders showed they mean business.

In Ibadan, Bayelsa United delivered another away upset by defeating Shooting Stars 1-0. Kehinde Lawal scored in the 30^th  minute, sealing a strong start for the visitors while raising concerns for the newly restructured Shooting Stars management.

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There were also solid home wins elsewhere. Abia Warriors edged Kano Pillars 1-0 thanks to Paul Samson’s 35th-minute strike. El Kanemi Warriors beat Bendel Insurance 2-0 despite finishing the game with ten men after Zayyad Musa’s red card. Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman got on the score sheet in the 49^th  and 66^th  minutes, respectively—the opener coming from the penalty spot.

At the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Wikki Tourists marked their return to the NPFL with a narrow 1-0 win over Plateau United. Luis Dadong converted a penalty in the 44th minute to seal the three points.

Newcomers Kun Khalifat FC made a statement with a goalless draw away at Rangers International in Enugu, earning their first topflight point on debut. Kwara United and Ikorodu City also played out a scoreless draw—remarkably, a repeat of their season-opening result at the same venue last year.

Another debutant side, Barau FC, held NPFL giants Enyimba to a 0-0 draw in Kano, showing their readiness to compete at this level.

NPFL Matchday One Results:

Remo Stars 1–1 Rivers United

Abia Warriors 1–0 Kano Pillars

Wikki Tourists 1–0 Plateau United

Katsina United 0–1 Warri Wolves

Rangers 0–0 Kun Khalifat

Kwara United 0–0 Ikorodu City

El-Kanemi  2–0  Insurance

Shooting Stars 0–1 Bayelsa United

Barau FC  0–0 Enyimba

Katsina United have grabbed their first win of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season after a 2-1 home win over Bendel Insurance at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina yesterday.

It took Lukman Bello just five minutes to put the Chanji Boys back on level terms following James Orosanye’s 17th  minute stunner which put the Edo Arsenals in a surprise lead. Azeez Falolu’s stoppage time winner completed the turnaround for Katsina United who were beaten 1-0 in Jos by Plateau United in their league opener.

There were drawn games in Yenagoa, Minna and Uyo.

 At the Samson Siasia Stadium, Bayelsa United forced Kano Pillars to a 1-1 draw. Auwalu Ali Malam scored the game’s opener for Sai Masu Gida four minutes before the half time break but Rabiu Abdullahi equalised for the Prosperity Boys in the 59th  minute. In Minna, Niger Tornadoes got a goalless draw against Nasarawa United in their return game after spending several seasons outside the Bako Kotangora Stadium. 

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At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa United needed a late minute penalty kick to restore parity  against Abia Warriors..

Abia Warriors struck first through Adejoh Ojonugwa in the fourth minute but the Promise Keepers got a reprieve in the stoppage time through Edidiong Ezekiel who drew his team level from the penalty spot..

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

Victor Dawa scored in the 39th  minute to give the Peace Boys a surprise lead but Uche Onwuasoanya scored against his former club to  restore parity for the home team just before halftime. 

On Saturday, Remo Stars pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 through Ibrahim Shuaibu’s seventh minute strike to keep their 100 percent record in the ongoing season while Heartland lost again to Rivers United. The Pride of Rivers dazed the Naze Millionaires 3-1 in Port Harcourt.

Taofeek Otaniyi drew the home team in front in the third minute but Christian Molokwu gave the Owerri side some reprieve in the injury time of the first half with the equaliser.

Kabir Abdullahi scored twice in the second half to ensure Rivers United earn their first win of the season with a 3-1 win.

NPFL Matchday Two Results 

Katsina United 2-1 Insurance

Bayelsa United 1-1 Kano Pillars

Tornadoes 0-0 Nasarawa United

Akwa United 1-1 Abia Warriors

Remo Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Rivers United 3-1 Heartland

3SC 1-1 Plateau United

Katsina State Government has dissolved the Board of Katsina United barely a week before the start of the 2024-25 NPFL season.

The State Acting Governor, Faruq Lawal announced the dissolution in a letter signed by the Head of Civil Service, Abubakar Saminu. 

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He further urged the outgoing board to hand over all the necessary documents and properties to the newly appointed team. 

He disclosed that the decision was taken based on the report submitted last season and that the newly appointed board is expected to be in action before the start of the new season.

The players and technical crew of Katsina United have commenced training for the upcoming football season scheduled to commence on August 31st.

This was contained in a statement by the Media Officer of the team, Nasir Gide.

According to him, the head coach of the team, Bishir Sadauki took charge of the rigorous training which had in attendance both the returning and new players.

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He said that the team will adopt training sessions twice daily in the initial stages of preparation, followed by friendly matches to fine-tune their skills.

The team’s leadership, including Chairman Alh Kabir Dan’lami Rimi, Team Manager Auwal Muhammad, Secretary Mas’ud Sulaiman and others were in attendance to witness the start of the pre-season training.