Wale Oyekanmi, Katsina
Katsina United defeated Kwara United 1 – 0 in a tensed NPFL matchday 11 decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Martins Usule’s 13th minute acrobatic strike savaged an important three points for ‘The Changi Boys’ at home.
Katsina United Kaduna- born striker Martins found the back of the net after Sunday directed his clearance header to his path.
With this slim victory, Katsina United are still unbeaten at home since they returned to the Nigeria Elite League in 2017.
The game started on a bright note as both teams tested their goalkeepers in the early minutes of the proceedings.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game after a lofty cross by Binuyo found Segun Alebiosu in the box, but his diving header went wide.
Martins Usule would then find the back of the net to give Katsina United the lead on 13 minutes via a well time acrobatic effort to throw the spectators in the stadium into wide jubilation .
Nigeria U23 invitee Joshua Agboola could have doubled the advantage of the hosts on 16 minute after he was set free on a one-on-one situation by Lukman Muhammed, but Kwara United goalkeeper Abdulateef was very brilliant to save his strike.
‘The Harmony Boys’ had their chance to restore the parity on 20 minute but Peter Momoh’s finish was wayward as his weak effort could not trouble the Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa who made an effortless save.
Ebenezer Odeyemi who was lively throughout the game was set free on the left flank but failed to capitalise on the opportunity as his effort was saved once again by Ezenwa.
Kwara United continue to enjoy more possession of the ball, they build from middle of the park to the attack but the killer instinct was lacking and that was their greatest undoing.
The hosts could have increased the lead as at 40 minutes of play after Chinedu Nwaze hacked down Lukman Muhammed in the penalty box and the centre referee wasted no time to point at the penalty spot.
Kwara United goalkeeper Abdulateef Ishola chose the right side of the post to make a fantastic save to deny the hosts the second goal of the evening as Katsina United went to the break with a goal up.
Coach Bala Abubakar introduced fresh legs to fortify his team as they continued to search for the equalizer just three minutes into the second half, Yahuza Bala replaced Chinedu Nwanze and Fortune Omoniwari came on for Peter Momoh.
Home-based Eagles defender Chinedu Ajanah was given a marching order by the referee for a second booking after he uppended Odeyemi and ‘The Changi Boys’ were reduced to ten-man just 20 minutes into the second half.
The harmony boys capitalised on the numerical disadvantage as they threw more men in front in search of the equaliser.
Kwara United dominated play but could not find the breakthrough despite the numerical disadvantage.
Substitute Sherif Bashir was a delight to watch as he put his marker on the back foot with his constant dazzling skills.
The second half was just a formality as Martins goal made the difference after full time.
Katsina United who have now moved to 5th position on the league table with 13 points picked from nine games will next host table topper MFM of Lagos on Wednesday in a rearranged matchday 9 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
The scorer of the only goal of the game Martins Usule was awarded the man of the match.
Katsina United Team
Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Frank Kappe, Faisal Sani, Timothy Danladi, Ajanah Chinedu, Usman Barau, Lukman Muhammed (Ikechukwu Nwachukwu 70′), Destiny Ashadi (Sherif Bashir 75′), Tasiu Lawal, Joshua Agboola(Yushau Garba 68′), Usule Martins,
Unused SUB
Danjuma Paul, Isah Abdulrahaman, Eric Gwammy, Musa Suleman
KWARA UNITED TEAM
Abdullateef Ishola, Uwana Asuquo, Lookman Binuyo, Afeez Nosir, Akinmoladun Sunday, Chinedu Nwanze (Yahuza Bala 48′), Uche Onwuasonaya (Samsudeen Hashimu 83′), Alebiosu SeguSegunn, Ebenezer Odeyemi, Ikefe Andrew, Peter Momoh (Fortune Omoniwari 48′)
Unused SUB
Yusuf Mohammed, Akeem Onigbari, Issa Magaji, Hamzat Mohammed,
Bookings
Yellow: Lukman Muhammed 35′, Faisal Sani 86′, Ikefe Andrew 7′
Red Card
Chinedu Ajanah 43′ 71′
Goal (s): Usule Martins 13′
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