Wikki Tourists, Katsina United battle that lasted 2 days
The dramatic 4-4 draw between Wikki Tourists FC and Katsina United in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 fixture at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi on Sunday, February 8, will go down in history as one of the most controversial, acrimonious, and volatile contests in the domestic league. The match which lasted […]
The dramatic 4-4 draw between Wikki Tourists FC and Katsina United in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 fixture at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi on Sunday, February 8, will go down in history as one of the most controversial, acrimonious, and volatile contests in the domestic league.
The match which lasted two days was marked by goals, controversy, tension, prolonged stoppages, hostilities and an unusual conclusion, as the battle of the giants of north-east and north-west was eventually completed behind closed doors on Monday, February 9, after being halted late on the previous day.
The ‘controversial’ goal and chaos
Trouble began when Katsina United’s forward, Uche Collins, under controversial circumstances, completed his hat-trick to bring scores to 3-3. It all started when a Wikki Tourists’ player deliberately kicked the ball out of play for an injured player of Katsina United to be attended to by the medics. Following treatment, the referee restarted play with a throw-in awarded to Katsina United, in line with the Laws of the Game.
Katsina United took the throw-in quickly and continued play, with Collins finishing the move to level the score at 3–3. Meanwhile, Wikki Tourists’ players were slow to react, expecting the ball to be returned as a gesture of fair play.
However, under the Laws of the Game, fair play is an ethical convention rather than a mandatory rule, and there is no requirement for possession to be returned unless previously agreed by both teams. As the throw-in was taken correctly and the ball was immediately in play, the referee rightly allowed the goal to stand.
Home fans’ protest
Following the equaliser by the visitors, the home fans went berserk as they immediately invaded the pitch, throwing sachets of water and other particles which forced proceedings to a temporary halt. At one point, the security personnel on ground were forced to use teargas to disperse the protesting fans.
In the melee that ensued, the centre referee. Chidibere Desmond, was allegedly attacked by the angry fans. In fact, he was escorted out of the pitch by his colleagues and heavily armed security men, while the reserve referee took over from him in order to conclude the match.
Invariably, prolonged stoppages dragged the match late into the night. Following complaints by Katsina United players that they were unable to see the ball due to darkness, the Match Commissioner, Blessing David, and other officials agreed that the remaining minutes of the match should be concluded the following day.
Day 2 of the week 25 fixture
When play resumed without fans in attendance, the drama continued. It is also important to note that Katsina United started the match with 10 players because Collins, who produced a hat-trick, was sent off the previous day after he scored his third goal of the match. So, putting their numerical advantage to good use, Jonathan Mairiga gave Wikki Tourists renewed hope in the 84th minute, scoring his second goal of the match to put the hosts ahead 4–3.
However, Katsina United showed remarkable resilience. In the 88th minute, pressure from the visitors forced a costly defensive error as Ndala, attempting a back pass to his goalkeeper, accidentally turned the ball into his own net, allowing Katsina United to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
The late own goal ensured the points were shared in a match that will be remembered for many reasons: controversial moments, eight goals, prolonged interruptions, and an empty-stadium finish.
Wikki Tourists deny attack on Katsina United’s Chairman
Although the Chairman of Katsina United, Surajo Baba Malumfashi, was seen in a viral video receiving treatment for a head injury at a hospital in Bauchi, the management of Wikki Tourists issued a statement absolving itself of any blame in the misfortune of the visiting official.
“We wish to state clearly that the circumstances surrounding the incident are not known to Wikki Tourists FC.
“While Wikki Tourists FC strongly condemns any form of violence, the management would never sit back and watch any guest, official, or individual being maltreated under any circumstance.
“We wish to clarify that the match organisers were not aware of the presence of the Katsina United Chairman at the venue, as his name was neither recorded nor announced during the pre-match meeting as a guest of the match.
“Furthermore, it has been confirmed by the Match Commissioner Blessing David that the Katsina United Chairman was seated on the Katsina United reserve bench at the time of the incident, an area designated strictly for match officials and team personnel.
“He was not expected nor authorised to sit on the reserve bench.
“Wikki Tourists FC remains committed to professionalism, sportsmanship, and the safety of all participants before, during, and after matches,” the statement reads.
N7.5m fine and banishment to Jos for Wikki Tourists
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a total fine of N7.5 million on Wikki Tourists FC following serious security lapses and crowd misconduct during the acrimonious match against Katsina United on Sunday, February 8.
In a summary jurisdiction notice dated February 11, 2026, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league found Wikki Tourists guilty of multiple breaches of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules arising from the conduct of the club and its supporters during the encounter.
Beyond the fines, the NPFL ordered Wikki Tourists FC to relocate all home matches to Jos indefinitely and submit an enhanced matchday security plan within seven working days.
Wikki Tourists have 48 hours to submit to the summary jurisdiction or go on appeal.