Abandoned NPFL Match Ends in 4–4 Stalemate After Monday Resumption

Abandoned NPFL Match Ends in 4–4 Stalemate After Monday Resumption

By Niyi Busari 

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 encounter between Wikki Tourists and Katsina United eventually ended in a dramatic 4–4 draw, after the fixture initially abandoned, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The game, played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, was halted on Sunday following crowd unrest that erupted shortly after Katsina United striker Uche Collins scored his second equaliser to make it 3–3. The chaos resulted in the centre referee being replaced, while the Chairman of Katsina United sustained a head injury. At the time of abandonment, 12 minutes of regulation time remained.

NPFL authorities ordered the remaining minutes to be concluded on Monday, allowing the match to reach its conclusion.

Wikki Tourists started brightly, with Mairiga opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Katsina United responded through Uche Collins, who netted the first of his hat-trick in the 20th minute. Jubrin restored Wikki’s lead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, but Collins struck again in the 35th minute to level the score at 2–2 before the break.

The hosts regained the advantage in the 53rd minute through Ibrahim, only for Collins to complete his hat-trick in the 62nd minute, once again drawing Katsina United level.

When play resumed on Monday, Wikki Tourists capitalised on a defensive lap in the 75th minute, firing a powerful long-range effort past Hamisu Sa’idu to take a 4–3 lead. However, Katsina United showed resilience and snatched a late equaliser in the 89th minute, benefitting from a defensive error that resulted in an own goal.

The thrilling encounter eventually ended 4–4, with Collins emerging as the standout performer thanks to his impressive hat-trick, while the late own goal earned Katsina United a valuable point on the road.

Following the result, Wikki Tourists remain 16th on the NPFL standings with 28 points from 24 matches, while Katsina United sit 10th with 33 points from the same number of games.