Katsina United sensational winger, Joseph Atule has dedicated his goal in the NPFL Matchday 19 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium to the fans who could not see the match due to LMC sanctions.
The former Kebbi United wing-wizard made this known during the post match conference on Sunday.
“Yes, I am so happy to score again today and at the same time delighted with the three points.
“My target is to keep scoring and help my team to achieve something tangible by the end of the season. Says Atule
“I dedicate today’s goal to our fans who does not have the privilege to see the game today. I want to use this opportunity to tell them to keep praying for us and we will continue to make them proud. Atule concluded
Katsina United edge Warri Wolves by 2 – 1 in a very tight matchday 19 close doors encounter decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Sunday to end the first stanza of the league on a high.
‘The Changi Boys’ who are now 7th on the league table have garnered 27 points from 18 games
Goals from Joseph Atule and NPFL veteran striker Gambo Muhammed put the visitors from Warri, Delta State to the sword as ‘The Changi Boys’ grabbed all the three points in style.
The game started on a very good note with both teams exhibiting some brilliant football artistry to create some scoring opportunities at the early minutes of the duel.
It was the visitors who had the first clear chance of the game when Daniel Mark’s goal bound strike from the edge of the box was blocked by Ikechukwu Nwachukwu with eight minutes into the proceedings.
The duo of Abu Azeez and David Mark of stamped their authority as they combined well in the middle of the park to maintain possession and stability for Warri Wolves.
Katsina United would then step up their game as Destiny Ashadi, Lukman Muhammed and Usman Barau grew in confidence and took the fight to their opponents with dazzling skills and crisp passes in the midfield.
As the tempo of the game increased, Katsina United came close to breaking the deadlock at half hour mark through Destiny Ashadi’s long range drive that agonizingly went wide after the former Kogi United star was set up by Tasiu Lawal.
Wolves could have taken the lead on 43rd minute when they were awarded a freekick just on the edge of United box but the well crafted freekick narrowly missed the target.
Joseph Atule would then put Katsina United in front during the additional time of the first half with a clever close range effort after Wolves defenders failed to clear a lofty cross into the box by Frank Kappe.
Katsina United went to the break with a slender lead.
It was a ding-dong affair in the second half as Wolves came out more determined to get the equaliser.
However, it was the hosts who found the back of the net through an emphatic long range drive from Gambo Muhammed to double Katsina United advantage on 55 minutes
The visitors threw more men forward and tried to create something on 60th minute with a fantastic link up between Williams Sunday and Charles but Adekunle Adeniyi was on hand to thwart their crafty play
Consequently, the visitors hard-work paid up on 71 minutes when Atshimene Charles was fouled in the box by Lukman Muhammed and the referee wasted no time to point to the penalty spot. The penalty was calmly dispatched by Atshimene Charles to bring Wolves back into the game.
Substitutes Abdulkarim Ahmed and Abubakar Abdullahi gave a good account of themselves when they were threw in fray.
Moment later, Abubakar Abdullahi’s thunder strike that could have increased Katsina United goal advantage went just wide as the game ended 2 – 1 in favour of ‘The Chanji Boys’.
Joseph Atule was voted as the most valuable player of the match by the press who covered the game.
KATSINA UNITED TEAM
Kassaly Daouda, Frank Kappe, Ikechukwu Nwachukwu, Adekunle Adeniyi, Tsawanyan Samuel, Usman Barau, Lukman Muhammed, Ashadi Destiny (Abdullahi Abubakar 88′), Tasiu Lawal (Mannir Ubale 76”), Gambo Muhammed (Abdulkarim Ahmed 85′), Atule Joseph
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES
Aliko Mustapha, Ubale Mannir, Faisal Snai, Yushau Garba, Dominic Abah
WARRI WOLVES TEAM
Amen Godwin, Jumbo Wisdom, Agwaza Daniel, Dikoo Mayor, Ohamado Goodluck , Upele Charles (Baba Victor 75′), Abu Azeez (Yarhere Efe 64′), Daniel Mark , Atshimene Charlet, Ubido Julius (Iteji Jimmy 26′), Williams Sunday
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES
Belema Mamadu, Abah John, Orukpe Innocent, Agbabiaka Ridwan
