Referee Incident, Chairman Attack Force Abandonment Of Wikki Tourists Vs Katsina United Clash

Referee Incident, Chairman Attack Force Abandonment Of Wikki Tourists Vs Katsina United Clash

By Niyi Busari 

Wikki Tourists FC and Katsina United FC played out a dramatic 3–3 draw in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 encounter, which was marred by crowd disturbances, club Chairman attack and subsequently abandoned with minutes left on the clock, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The match was halted following Katsina United’s equalising goal amid allegations that the centre referee was attacked, forcing the reserve referee to assume control of the game. The incident led to a prolonged stoppage and eventual abandonment of the fixture after 90 minutes plus 22 minutes had been played.

In a related development, the chairman of Katsina United FC, Surajo Malumfashi, sustained injuries following an alleged encroachment by Wikki Tourists supporters. Malumfashi was reported to receive medical treatment at a hospital in Bauchi. A video circulating on social media shows him with a head injury, with visible blood stains on his shaved scalp.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Wikki Tourists FC nor Katsina United FC has issued an official statement regarding the incident. The league organisers, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), are also yet to comment.

According to match officials, the abandoned fixture will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, when the remaining 12 minutes are expected to be completed.

On the pitch, Wikki Tourists made a bright start as Mairiga opened the scoring in the 5th minute. Katsina United responded through Collins, who netted the first of his hat-trick in the 20th minute. Jubrin restored the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute before Collins struck again in the 35th minute to level the score.

Ibrahim gave Wikki Tourists the advantage once more in the 53rd minute, but Collins completed his hat-trick with a goal in the 62nd minute to ensure parity for the visitors.

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