It was another action-packed weekend in the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League across the country with Katsina United playing host to Nasarawa United FC in the matchday 25 fixture at the 35,000 capacity Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
Prior to kick-off, both teams were miles apart on the league table with the Solid Miners ahead of the ‘Chanji Boys’ with eighteen points after twenty-four matches apiece.
With endless hunger to finish among the top-three teams at the end of the season, Nasarawa United rallied from behind to draw level in the 21st minute of the first half through defender, Chigozie Obasi’s freekick after the hosts had taken the lead from the spot in the 18th minute courtesy of Nnoshiri Samuel.
Nasarawa United almost increased the tally when Silas Nwankwo found freestanding Aliyu Abdullahi but the latter’s low tap flipped inches above the cross bar.
The host’s reversed pressure paid off in the half-hour mark as Samuel Kalu benefitted from a goal area scramble to put Katsina United 2-1 up.
Upon resumption from the break, Nasarawa United took control of the game as Yusuf Mohammed, in goal for Katsina United, was called into several forced saves by the trio of Anas Yusuf, Aliyu Abdullahi and Chigozie Obasi.
The home side returned Solid Miners’ threats through the pair of Joseph Atule and Usman Barau but their efforts were parried away by goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima.
Both sides made some changes with coach Bala Nikyu handing Second league appearance to Cameroonian attacker, Platini Kahan, after his first appearance in Ilorin during the first round of the current football Season.
Hardly had the bulky striker settled down in the game than the first goal opportunity would come his way.
The foreign import was released by substitute, Bashiru Usman, but his precise strike from the final third was toed out by the whiskers from the intended destination.
Substitute, Michael Tochukwu’s left-footed shot struck the cross bar towards the closing stages of the game.
The hosts were, however, reduced to ten men after captain, Usman Barau received his second yellow card of the evening for a strong tackle on the menacing teenage sensation, Michael Tochukwu, in the second minute of added time.
The scoreline remained unchanged as the referee blew the final whistle.
