Enyimba say the shot-stopper, in his quest to ensure smooth flow of play, went to retrieve a ball from the ball boy in question and did nothing to harm him.

The players and officials of the two-time champions of Africa came under attack after the game when fans of Katsina United stoned them.

Reports went viral that the attack was a measure of revenge to counter Dauda's alleged assault on the ball boy, which left the latter unconscious.

However, Enyimba International have issued a statement in the goalkeeper's defense, claiming that the public has added sensationalism to the report and that it is Katsina United that should rather be criticised for their unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Below is the statement:

Having reviewed the match tape of the incident involving Enyimba goalkeeper Fatau Dauda and a ball boy in the 84th minute of the Match Day 18 Nigeria Professional Football League fixture against Katsina United, the club has reached the following conclusions

That Dauda simply sought, in the aftermath of Katsina United’s second goal, to retrieve the ball from the ball boy in order to facilitate a quick restart. That Dauda knocked the ballout of the grasp of the ball boy, who had clasped the ball to his midriff to prevent access to it. That Dauda did not punch the ball boy, as alleged by the home side, and contrary to widespread reports.That Dauda did not assault or beat up the ball boy in question, let alone to the “point of coma” as some sensationalist reports have purported.That any contact with the ball boy in the process of dislodging the ball was clearly and purely incidental.

Dauda is a seasoned professional and a Ghana international who has represented his country at a World Cup, the biggest footballing stage in the world. He has maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing from the first, and the video evidence supports his claim.

In light of this, Enyimba Football Club demands that the unsportsmanlike and violent conduct of fans of Katsina United be condemned outright for what it is: a brutal and violent assault on our team.

This misrepresentation of facts; that the action of goalkeeper Dauda is somehow responsible for the brutality meted out to our players and officials is not only disgraceful, but unacceptable. Such violence has no place in our league and we maintain our call for strong sanctions against Katsina United

Enyimba FC Official Media