2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 25 Review: Eight-Goal Spectacle in Bauchi Ends in Chaos and Controversy

Posted : 09 February 2026

What was meant to be an entertaining Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 25 fixture between Wikki Tourists and Katsina United at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi turned into one of the most dramatic and controversial encounters of the season.

Across two tense days, the game delivered everything: goals, emotions, crowd unrest, officiating confusion, poor visibility, and an eventual abandonment before completion the following morning.

From the first whistle on Sunday, the contest lived up to expectations as both sides traded attacking blows in a pulsating affair.

5th minute: Mairiga gave Wikki Tourists an early lead, igniting the home crowd.

20th minute: Collins responded for Katsina United, beginning what would become a memorable personal performance.

27th minute: Jubrin restored Wikki’s advantage from the penalty spot.

35th minute: Collins struck again to level the score at 2–2.

The intensity on the pitch mirrored the tension in the stands as tempers began to flare following Katsina United’s equaliser.

Shortly after the levelling goal, the match descended into confusion amid allegations that the centre referee was attacked. This forced the reserve referee to step in as control of the game temporarily slipped away.

With stoppages stretching on and visibility reducing due to faulty floodlights, the match situation became increasingly difficult to manage.

After 90 minutes plus an astonishing 22 minutes of added time, officials opted to postpone the remaining 12 minutes of play.

In an unusual twist, the fixture resumed on Monday at 8:00 a.m. to complete the outstanding minutes.

Both teams returned to the pitch with renewed determination, and remarkably, each side found the net once more, bringing the encounter to an astonishing 4–4 draw—an eight-goal thriller that will be remembered for far more than just the scoreline.

Collins completed his hat-trick for Katsina United in what should have been the headline performance of the day.

Crowd disturbance and controversy

The thrilling football, however, was overshadowed by reports of crowd disturbances during the game. Katsina United Chairman, Surajo Malumfashi, was reportedly injured during the unrest and later seen receiving medical attention in Bauchi, with images circulating online showing a head injury.

The situation added another layer of controversy to an already chaotic fixture.

In reaction to the circulating reports, Wikki Tourists FC released a statement distancing the club from the alleged incident while reiterating its stance against any form of violence.

The club noted that the chairman’s presence at the venue was not officially communicated.

He was reportedly seated on the Katsina United reserve bench, an area restricted to team personnel and match officials.

The Match Commissioner confirmed that no formal notification of his attendance was made.

Wikki Tourists maintained that proper protocol would have ensured his safety, like that of any recognised guest.

As of the time of filing this report, the NPFL management is yet to issue an official statement, pending the submission of reports from match officials and the Match Commissioner.

A match remembered for the wrong reasons, as what should have gone down as one of the most entertaining games of the NPFL season instead became a case study in how crowd control issues, officiating disruption, and infrastructural challenges can overshadow a brilliant football contest.

In the end, the record will show Wikki Tourists 4–4 Katsina United.

But the story of Bauchi’s Match Day 25 will be remembered for far more than just the goals.

2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 25 Review: Eight-Goal Spectacle in Bauchi Ends in Chaos and Controversy

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