2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 9 Preview: Northern Derby Without Fans Set to Dampen Excitement as Kano Pillars Face Barau FC

Posted : 19 October 2025

The much-anticipated Kano derby between Barau FC and Kano Pillars in the NPFL Match Day 9 will be played behind closed doors at the Sani Abacha Stadium

As the two Kano-based teams — Barau FC and Kano Pillars FC — prepare for their all-local showdown in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 9, fans in Kano will unfortunately miss out on the excitement, as the league management has ordered that the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, remain closed to spectators.

The NPFL management, in a letter dated Tuesday, October 14, 2025, and signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, announced that the fixture between Barau FC and Kano Pillars will be played behind closed doors for safety reasons.

This decision means that Barau FC, who were expected to enjoy a home advantage, will now face Kano Pillars in what promises to be a tense but silent derby, deprived of the usual electric atmosphere that Kano fans bring to matches.

The NPFL directive further stated that only 120 accredited persons will be allowed inside the stadium, including match officials, players, and essential staff. No fans, supporters, or unauthorized individuals will be permitted entry under any circumstances.

Additionally, the NPFL Secretariat confirmed it would deploy two officials for Barau FC’s subsequent home fixtures to conduct on-the-spot assessments and provide detailed reports on compliance, organization, and security standards.

Meanwhile, Barau FC faced more turbulence earlier in the week after their Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso, resigned following a disagreement with the club’s management. The team has since appointed Coach Tata as his replacement.

Despite both sides’ poor starts to the season — Barau FC sitting bottom of the table with just one win, and Kano Pillars in 17th place with eight points — the Kano derby remains one of the standout fixtures of Match Day 9.

In a boost for Pillars, midfielder Auwalu Ali Malam has returned to training after an injury layoff that kept him out since Match Day 2. The 24-year-old featured last in their clash against Wikki Tourists and is expected to strengthen the squad ahead of Sunday’s tie.

The 2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 9 fixture marks the first-ever top-flight meeting between Barau FC and Kano Pillars, making it a historic encounter despite the absence of fans.

2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 9 Preview: Northern Derby Without Fans Set to Dampen Excitement as Kano Pillars Face Barau FC

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