Kano Pillars Fans Clash After Dramatic Match; General Manager Apologizes

Chaos erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on October 12, 2025, as fans of Kano Pillars Football Club invaded the pitch following a tense 1-1 draw against Shooting Stars Sports Club. The incident occurred during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 fixture and was triggered by a dramatic equalizer scored in the 94th minute.

Frustration boiled over among the supporters, who attacked the match referee and several players from Shooting Stars, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a. Security forces were forced to deploy tear gas to restore order as officials and players were assaulted in the chaos.

Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, publicly condemned the violence in a heartfelt statement. Describing the events as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” he expressed his regret for the incident that tarnished the club’s reputation. Musa emphasized that such behavior does not reflect the true values of Kano Pillars, which have always championed community, passion, and respect.

In his apology shared on social media platform X, Musa said, “I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies for the unfortunate, painful, and disgraceful incident that occurred during our game against Shooting Stars Sports Club.” He addressed his remarks to the players, coaches, officials, and supporters of the visiting team, as well as the match referees and league officials who experienced the disturbances.

The general manager also acknowledged the disappointment felt by football fans both across Nigeria and internationally, who witnessed the disturbing scenes unfold. “Violence has no place in football,” he stated, assuring the public that the club would collaborate with authorities to identify those responsible for the violence. “They will face the full consequences of their actions,” he added.

Musa made a direct appeal to Kano Pillars supporters, urging them to demonstrate their support through “respect, passion, and discipline.” He highlighted the need for a shift in behavior, stating, “This must be a turning point for us. We must remind the world that our love for this club can be powerful without being destructive.”

The club has faced significant sanctions in recent years, with fines exceeding ₦36 million since 2019 due to fan misconduct. In concluding his statement, Musa took “full responsibility” and pledged that Kano Pillars would do everything necessary to restore trust and respect in the club and the broader football community in Nigeria.

The violent outbreak has raised concerns about fan behavior in Nigerian football, prompting calls for more robust measures to ensure the safety of players and officials during matches. As the situation unfolds, the response from both the club and the league authorities will be closely monitored by fans and stakeholders alike.