Dauda Madaki scored a brace, one in each while, while Aliyu Musa scored once as Katsina United beat Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan 3-1.
The matchday 24 game, played on Wednesday evening at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, saw the Oluyole Warriors left to rue missed opportunities, particularly in the first half.
The homers also benefitted from defensive mistakes at the visitors’ rear to pick the maximum points.
Having had the game under control for most part of the first half, luck was not on the side of the Edith Agoye tutored lads as Malomo Taofeeq, Chinedu Enuademu and Archbong Utibe’s efforts missed the target.
The Chanji Boys shot to the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute, when an u marked Dauda Madaki’ long range shit, beat goalkeeper Ogundare Detan for the first goal, which the held held onto till the end of the first half.
The 3SC bench swiftly made triple substitutions at the start of the second half, with the trio of Raheem Quadry, Sochima Elum and Ayo Adejubu replacing Anietie Uko, Archibong Utibe and Chinedu Enuademu.
The substitutions paid off ten minutes after the break, when Sochima Elum shot into the net,, finishing off Ayo Adejubu’s solo effort as the left footer dribbled past his markers.
The homers restored their lead just five minutes after the visitors’ leveller after Aliyu Musa converted a penalty kick awarded his side after Abbey Benson, who had earlier slipped while trying to control the ball, handled the ball inside the goal area.
With time running out, coach Agoye introduced Opeoluwa Olufemi for Benson, and Udoh Godwin for Ewenike Achibi, in an effort to get the equaliser.
This was not to be as Aliyu Musa capitalised on a collision between goalkeeper Detan and Isiaka Mutiu to fire home the third goal for the host, in the second of the three added minutes, to end the match 3-1 in favour of Katsina United.
The Oluyole Warriors will next play host to the Peoples’ Elephants. Enyimba of Aba, in a matchday 25 clash.
