Katsina United have extended their home wins this season to three after a hard-fought victory over stubborn NPFL new comers Bendel Insurance in an NPFL matchday 7 decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
First half equaliser from Lukman Muhammed and a brilliant winner in the dying minutes by Tasiu Lawal ensured the visitors were put to the sword.
Katsina United are now sitting comfortably in second position on the league table with this important home win with nine points from four games, while Insurance have now dropped to eighth in the standings with six points
The game started on a bright note with both teams displaying good football artistry and Insurance were the team with the first shot on target after Charles Omokaro tested Ezenwa with a long-range drive but nothing came out of it just three minutes into the proceedings.
Katsina United would have got the first goal on five minutes from the penalty spot after Tasiu Lawal was hacked down in the box, but Lukman Muhammed could not beat Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, who made a brilliant save.
It was a fierce battle in the middle of the park between Usman Bara’u and Charles Omokaro, with the United assistant captain thwarting all the dazzling moves of the Insurance captain.
Katsina United dominated possession, but Bendel Insurance somehow found the back of the net through a clever header by Meyiwa Orits from a high cross into the box to give the visitors the lead on 39 minutes
‘The Changi Boys’ responded almost immediately through Lukman Muhamned, who connected well to a sumptuous pass from Martins Usule, he mesmerized his marker before slotting the ball into the back of the net beyond the reach of Bendel Insurance goalkeeper.
Katsina United continued their dominance after the equalising goal and were unlucky not to have gone ahead on 45 minutes after Tasiu Lawal’s curling efforts narrowly missed the target.
Despite the home team dominance, both teams went into the break on level pegging.
The restart of the game witnessed early pressure from the home team to get the winning goal as strikes in quick successions from Joshua Agboola and Usule were parried to safety by the ever-busy goalkeeper of Insurance to deny the hosts.
‘The Arsenal Of Benin’ gradually found their feet in the game as they enjoyed possession in the middle of the park, but they could not translate this to goals as the defence of Katsina United led by CHAN Eagles star Timothy Danladi was too strong for them to break
Tasiu Lawal then found the back of the net off a curling assist from substitute Sherif Bashir with a well-taken right-footed effort on 89 minutes to give the hosts the lead and threw the fans in the stadium into wide jubilation
Insurance fought back, but were repelled by the gallant defence of Katsina United as the home team ran away with their third home win of the season.
Tasiu Lawal was adjudged the man of the match by the pressmen at the stadium.
Katsina United will now travel to Akure to settle scores with Sunshine Stars.
Katsina United XI vs Bendel Insurance
Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Frank Kappe, Tsawanya Samuel, Timothy Danladi, Ajanah Chinedu, Usman Bara’u, Yushau Garba, Lukman Muhammed (Goal 40′) (Dominic Abah 90′), Tasiu Lawal (Goal 89′), Joshua Agboola (Sherif Bashir 70′), Martins Usule
UNUSED SUBS
Yinka David, Ikechukwu Nwachukwu, Abdulkarim Ahmed, Shishinma Monday, Musa Suleman
GOALS
Meyiwa Orits 39′
Lukman Muhammed 43′
Tasiu Lawal 89′
CAUTION
Lukman Muhammed 81′
