The City of Katsina will come alive once again on Wednesday when ‘The Changi Boys’ trade tackles with league leaders Mountain of Fire Ministry FC in a re-arranged NPFL matchday 9 mid-week fixture at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, sports247.ng gathers.
Katsina United will face another litmus test when they host on-form MFM FC just 72 hours after a hard-fought home victory over tough nut Kwara United.
According to the media release made available to the newsmen by the Media Officer of the Changi Boys, Wale Oye said that Katsina United, are yet to taste defeat at home since they returned to the NPFL two seasons ago, will look to extend their unbeaten run to 36 games when they face-off with MFM FC Wednesday
MFM have managed just a win on the road this season following the 1 – 0 triumph over NPFL new comers Remo Stars in Osogbo.
Coach Abdullahi Biffo boys, who are still in celebration mood after the slim victory recorded against Kwara United in their last game, will go into this encounter with the confidence garnered from that game.
‘The Olukoya Boys’ will also bank on the motivation derived from the 2 – 0 home victory recorded against Bendel Insurance in their last match.
Katsina United top scorer with four goals Martins Usule, Tasiu Lawal, Joshua Agboola, midfield dynamo Destiny Ashadi and Lukman Muhammed are the players Katsina United will rely on to do the damage against MFM.
Zikiye Jonathan, Abisoye Olawale and Michael Ohanu are the star players on the MFM side that Katsina United need to be wary of.
Both Ohanu and Abisoye scored the goals against Bendel Insurance in Lagos, while Zikiye Jonathan was the provider of the two goals.
CHAN Super Eagles player and Katsina United dependable defender Timothy Danladi told www.fckatsinaunited.com that victory is not negotiable against MFM.
“Yes, we know they are the ones topping the league table, but that does not imply that they are better than us,” he clarified.
“We have done our homework very well and the three points are not negotiable.
“We are aware of how important the three points are to us, any slip at home can cause us a lot of damage, which is why we will give our all to ensure that we win the game.”
Team News
Both goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Kassaly Daouda will not be available for this tie owing to international duty with the Super Eagles and Niger Republic, respectively.
Dominic Abah, who was red carded in the NPFL matchday8 against Eyinmba in Aba, will be available for selection after serving out a three-match suspension.
However, former ABS defender Ajanah Chinedu will miss this tie owing to suspension as a result of red card he got in the last match against Kwara United.
Previous Meeting
Both teams have met three times in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
The first meeting was in 2017 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium where Katsina United won 2 – 1.
MFM won the reversed fixture in Lagos 3 – 2.
‘The Olukoya Boys’ recorded their second victory over Katsina United in 2018 2 – 1 in Lagos to hold on to the bragging rights.
League Standings
Katsina United moved two places up following their 1 – 0 victory over Kwara United to now be fifth on the league table with 13 points from nine games
MFM are first on the table with 21 points from 10 games.
Form Guide in the last Five League Games
Katsina United – WLDLL
MFM FC – WLWWW
Players to watch
Katsina United – Martins Usule
MFM FC – Zikiye Jonathan
Venue – Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina
Date – Wednesday, 20th March, 2019.
Time – 4PM
