The NNL Super 8 Play-offs in Asaba assumed a stunning dimension on Monday Morning with EFCC ending the unbeaten run of favourites and big money spenders, Katsina United in a match full of drama.
The game which ended 2-1 in favour of the Abuja based side was the first game of match day 2 of the ongoing Nigeria National League Super 8 play-off in Asaba to determine the four teams that will move up to the Nigeria Premier League billed to commence in August.
EFCC raised to a 2 goal lead in the first half courtesy of goals by enterprising attacker, Abdulkarim Amar although the 2nd goal was a goalkeeping howler by Koulimba Alladoom in goal for Katsina United who was beaten to his near post off a shot that he could easily have been held.
Talisman, Victor Mbaoma was once again to the rescue of Katsina United as he pulled a goal back before the interval completing a fantastic build up move despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Utum Godswill who could do nothing to stop the ball from going into the yawning net.
The 2nd half was full of drama as the referee awarded a penalty to Katsina United on the hour mark but he was subsequently surrounded by the EFCC players as if they were going to arrest the referee but instead, the man in black dished out two yellow cards to the protesting players and stood his ground that the penalty must stand.
The EFCC goal tender and captain Utum Godswill who got a yellow card for spearheading the protest, regained his composure after delaying the game for a while to stop the kick from the penalty spot and from then on, it was time wasting galore with EFCC players feigning injuries and stopping the game intermittently, preventing the Katsina United players from entering 2nd gear or finding rhythm although they could also be accused of poor marksmanship and guilty of orchestrating their own misfortune.
The EFCC goalkeeper was adjudged the man of the match at the end of the game.
With the latest result, the Northern Conference is now widely open as it is no longer a two-horse race as earlier permutated.
