‘The Changi Boys’ recorded their first home victory of the season after beating hard fighting Nasarawa United 1 – 0 in one of the NPFL matchday three fixtures decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
The game started on a bright note with both teams exhibiting some brilliant football artistry to the delight of spectators in the 35,000 capacity Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Katsina United looked the better side in the first 15 minutes of the game with Destiny Ashadi bossing the middle of the park with crisp and defense splitting passes that kept Nasarawa United defenders on their toes.
It was the visitors that drew the first blood just five minutes into the proceedings after Okeke Uche raced towards a long ball forward by Tebo Franklin, but Mustapha Aliko made himself big and rushed out to save the looping effort that could have opened the scoring for the Solid Miners.
Gambo Muhammed would then unleashed a thunderous long range effort ten minutes later following a brilliant link of play between Yushau Garba and Destiny Ashadi in the middle of the park to set the former kano Pillars striker up
With 19 minutes on the clock, Yushau Garba poked home a bubbled ball in the box that Nasarawa United defenders could not deal with off a long throw-in from Tsawanya Samuel but the goal was ruled out for offside
Nasarawa United burst forward on the left through Abubakar Lawal who dribbled past Frank Kappe and whipped in a dangerous cross but Omede Usman could not guide his header on target. Katsina United fans breath a sigh of relief as ‘The Changi Boys’ restarted the game with a goalkick.
Energetic Katsina United striker Nurudeen Ibrahim was hacked in a dangerous area and the resultant goal bound freekick by Destiny Ashadi was handled in the box by Ibrahim Mathew and the referee wasted no time to point to the penalty spot.
Tasiu Lawal stepped forward to take the spot kick but Danlami dived to the right side of the post to make a big save and deny Katsina United the opportunity to take the lead on 40th minutes.
Tasiu Lawal poked home a loose ball at the nick of halftime stoppage but it was flagged offside once again by the first Assistant Referee as both teams went to the break with no goal separating them.
On Resumption, Katsina United came out like a house on fire as they caged the visitors in their half in search of opening goal.
Yushau Garba outsmarted his marker and set Nurudeen Ibrahim up on the right, the Ghana born striker dazzled past two markers on the right before powering home a close range effort that narrowly missed the mark on 53rd minutes.
Coach Makinwa made his first substitute of the game by throwing Joseph Atule into fray with Nurudeen Ibrahim making way for the young winger.
Delightful Destiny Ashadi goes down in the box under Tebo Franklin’s rough tackle, the referee was in a good position to spot the infringement and pointed to the penalty spot. Tasiu Lawal made no mistake this time as he powered home a spectacular kick from the spot beyond the reach of ever-busy Danlami Umar.
Both coaches introduced some fresh legs to fortify their teams at the dying minutes but the changes have no effect on the scoreline as the game ended 1 – 0 in favour of the hosts.
Katsina United have now moved to 10th on the league table with 4 points amassed from 3 games.
‘The Changi Boys’ will travel to Uyo to keep a date with Akwa United at the Nest of Champions in one of the NPFL matchday 4 fixtures
