With just days to the Nigeria Premier Football League kickoff, Barau FC are in a dilemma over where to host their home matches — www.isagoal.com reports.
The newly promoted side stunned many by reaching the NPFL last season, making Kano the only state with two topflight clubs alongside Kano Pillars.
Barau FC’s former home, Dambatta Stadium, no longer meets league standards, forcing the club to seek approval to use the 18,000-seater Sani Abacha Stadium.
But the Kano State Sports Commission raised eyebrows by demanding a hefty ₦50m fee from Barau FC before they can access the ground, according to Daily Trust.
Club chairman Ambassador Ibrahim Shitu Chanji revealed the fee was originally ₦150,000 per match, but the sudden jump to ₦50m shocked the management.
Acting chairman of the commission, Umar Ibrahim, defended the decision, insisting that “maintaining sports facilities is capital intensive.”
Barau FC have cried foul, suggesting the financial burden may be politically motivated to frustrate their NPFL participation.
Analyst AbdulGafar Oladimeji questioned why other Kano-based teams use the same stadium for little or nothing while Barau FC face such demands.
Football enthusiasts remain split, with some calling the ₦50m fee unfair and others welcoming it as a business-minded move to boost revenue.
Fans also fear the standoff could reignite old rivalries between Kano Pillars, supported by the ruling NPP, and Barau FC, linked to the opposition APC.
Sports journalist Abdullahi Shehu warned that smaller clubs still use the stadium almost free, urging the commission to avoid double standards.
Meanwhile, Barau FC’s first fixture against Enyimba looms, yet their home venue remains unresolved, casting a shadow over their historic NPFL debut.
Kano fans also await the city derby against Pillars in October, a match that could define Kano’s football pride if Barau FC overcome the stadium row.
For now, if the ₦50m hurdle is not addressed, Barau FC may be forced to relocate outside Kano, losing the chance to build a true home support base.
This article was updated 1 day ago