A moment of brilliance turned to chaos on Sunday evening at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, as angry Kano Pillars supporters invaded the pitch following a dramatic late equaliser by Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.
The explosive Matchday 8 fixture of the 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ended 1–1, but the scoreline quickly became a secondary concern after emotions boiled over into violent scenes.
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In the 94th minute, Shooting Stars snatched a stunning equaliser that silenced the home fans and sparked immediate unrest in the stands. Within moments, sections of the Kano crowd stormed the pitch, attacking the referee, match officials, and Shooting Stars players.
Security operatives were forced to fire teargas in a desperate attempt to restore order as chaos spread across the stadium. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “total confusion”, with players and officials running for safety while furious fans chased the referee and match assistants.
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“Once Shooting Stars scored, everything collapsed,” one journalist at the scene told Awijare Sports News. “Fans jumped the barriers and went after the referee. It was frightening.”
In a Facebook post after the incident, Samuel Tobi Adepoju, Sporting Director of Shooting Stars, expressed deep disappointment over the attack.
“We regret the assault on our players and officials. It’s heartbreaking to see my players in pain inside the dressing room. We will engage the NPFL Board over this incident,” he wrote.
The NPFL has yet to issue an official statement, but disciplinary action is expected. Kano Pillars have a history of crowd trouble and have previously faced sanctions, including fines and matches behind closed doors, over similar episodes.
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This latest incident once again raises serious questions about stadium safety, fan behaviour, and the league’s disciplinary enforcement, as the NPFL continues its campaign to improve matchday standards and protect players and officials across the country.
