There was pandemonium on Saturday during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) game between hosts Katsina United and Barau Football Club, after a Barau’s player, Nana Abraham, was attacked by fans of Katsina which left him with a deep cut on his neck and across to the chin area. Abraham from Ghana is one of the foreign professionals playing in the league.
Everything seemed alright until the 69th minute after Barau’s Orji Kalu scored an equaliser to put the game at 1-1. The equalizer sparked a violent reaction from some Katsina United supporters who encroached the field to attack the player.
Disturbing pictures and videos from the venue confirmed the ugly incident.
Barau FC confirmed the attack in a post on its official X (Twitter) handle: “70’ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC. #MaliyaBoysTogetherForVictory #KatBar #NPFL26.”
The NPFL management was yet to make any statement as of the time of this report.
Incidentally, the Katsina stadium is the temporary venue for Kano Pillars who were suspended from using the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano last month over fans violence. They attacked their guests Shooting Stars of Ibadan after their last minute equalizer to grab a 1-1 draw. Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch after that goal and physically attacked Shooting Stars, the referee, and match officials.
NPFL management in response sanctioned Kano Pillars with a ₦9.5million fine, deduction of 3 points and 3 goals, and an indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Similar punishment is expected on Katsina United following the incident today.
Extrasportnigeria 
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