The huge investment on bringing Victor Mbaoma for the NNL Super 8 Play-off proved not to be a gamble after all as it was the solitary strike from the towering striker that ensured an immediate return to the highest level of football in Nigeria for Katsina United.
Needing an outright victory before anything else, Katsina United started the game against Kano Pillars like a house on fire, dictating the pace of the game and orchestrating dangerous incursions into the Kano Pillars 18 yard box at will, a situation which led to palpable tension and occasional arrhythmia amongst the bench and fans of the opposition.
News started filtering in that DMD FC were winning big at the other centre and that further led to an air of uncertainty at the Asaba centre as neither of the two sides could immediately process the impact scenario playing out at Ogwuashi-uku.
Half time ended goalless but not long after the resumption of play in the 2nd half, a penalty was awarded Katsina United and this time, they were bent on avoiding the mistake made in the last game against EFCC where a similar goal scoring opportunity was thrown away on a platter from a badly placed kick from the spot. The highly experienced Victor Mbaoma was the man for the job and he lived up to the billing with a calm finish. He had thus scored a goal in every game since the play-off began.
A mild drama ensued minutes later as the biggest player in the league, a veteran of the domestic scene, Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars was given the marching orders for retaliation, an unacceptable act in football.
A goal behind and a man down, Kano Pillars instantly realized that they could be in danger of not playing in the final though they were now looking surer of a place in the NPL than when they started the game. Coach Evans Ogenyi quickly re-arranged the team with a couple of substitutions and status quo was maintained till the end of the game.
Katsina United players and fans jubilated after the game and why not? They had just picked an NPL ticket with the victory though it was Kano Pillars that would be progressing to the final of the Super 8.
DMD FC defeated EFCC 2-0 in the other group match but it was too little too late from the Maiduguri boys. Make hay while the sun shines, a popular saying.
