The General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public and heartfelt apology following a violent incident that disrupted a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Sunday.
The match, which took place at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, ended in chaos after fans of the home team invaded the pitch and attacked players and officials of Shooting Stars, moments after they scored a late equalizer in stoppage time.
Kano Pillars had taken the lead early in the 13th minute through a goal by Mustapha Jibrin. However, tensions escalated when Shooting Stars’ Adam Mustapha netted a dramatic equaliser in the 94th minute, sparking anger among the home crowd. Enraged fans breached security and stormed the pitch, targeting opposition players and creating scenes of violence that shocked viewers across the country.
Reacting to the incident, Ahmed Musa, a former Super Eagles captain and current GM of the club, issued a strongly worded apology, condemning the actions of the unruly fans and pledging immediate steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies for the unfortunate, painful, and disgraceful incident that occurred during our game against Shooting Stars,” Musa stated.
“What transpired is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the values or identity of Kano Pillars. This club has always stood for community, passion, and respect, and what happened on Sunday falls far below that standard.”
Musa apologised to the players, coaches, and officials of Shooting Stars, the match referees, league officials, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board, league partners GTI, and to all football lovers who witnessed the violence.
He also promised that the club would work closely with the authorities to identify and sanction those responsible for the disruption. “They will face the full consequences of their actions,” he assured.
“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, and to bring joy,” he added.
The former Nigerian international highlighted that the club would not only apologise but also take internal steps to address the root causes and enforce discipline among fans. He called on Kano Pillars supporters to show their loyalty through peaceful support, not aggression.
“To our loyal fans, I want to speak directly to you. Kano Pillars is a proud club with a rich legacy, and you are the heartbeat of this club. But true support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline,” he said.
Musa urged fans and stakeholders to see the incident as a turning point, insisting that the club would take responsibility and work to rebuild trust and protect the integrity of the game.
“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he concluded.
The Nigeria Premier Football League board is expected to take disciplinary action following the incident, which has once again raised concerns over fan violence and stadium safety in Nigerian football.
