Collins Uche delivered a sensational individual performance in Bauchi, firing a clinical hat-trick for Katsina United, but the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 clash against Wikki Tourists was overshadowed by crowd violence that eventually forced the abandonment of the game.
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The highly charged encounter, played on Sunday, produced six goals before descending into chaos.
Uche struck in the 20th, 35th and 62nd minutes to register his second hat-trick of the season, taking his tally to 10 goals and making him the first player to reach double figures in the ongoing NPFL campaign.
Wikki Tourists had made a blistering start, opening the scoring through Mairiga in the 5th minute.
Katsina United responded via Uche’s first goal in the 20th minute, before Jubrin restored the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot seven minutes later. Uche’s second strike in the 35th minute levelled matters again at 2–2 going into the break.
After the restart, Ibrahim put Wikki Tourists back in front in the 53rd minute, but Uche completed his hat-trick nine minutes later to make it 3–3.
The pulsating contest appeared set for a dramatic finish until Katsina United scored a late equaliser, which sparked serious crowd disturbances.
Amid the unrest, the centre referee was allegedly assaulted, forcing the reserve referee to briefly take over.
Following a prolonged stoppage and after 90 minutes plus 22 minutes of added time, match officials ruled that it was unsafe to continue and subsequently abandoned the fixture.
Off the pitch, Katsina United chairman, Surajo Malumfashi, was reportedly injured during the disturbances after an alleged encroachment by home supporters and was taken to a medical facility in Bauchi for treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the clubs involved nor the NPFL had issued an official statement on the incident.
In the league standings, Wikki Tourists sit 16th with 28 points, while Katsina United are 10th on 33 points after 24 matches.
