The Changi Boys’ were dealt another big blow yet again at home following a disappointing 1 – 1 draw against Enugu Rangers in a rearranged NPFL matchday 2 decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, sports247.ng gathers.
Katsina United Media Director,17 Wale who made the report available to newsmen said that Ericammy close range fabulous strike on 15 minutes that gave Katsina United an early lead was cancelled out at stoppage time by a goal from Seka Pascal to ensure that both teams shared the spoils
Katsina United are still occupying fourth position on the league table with 18 points picked from 13 games.
Rangers who are also on 18 points are 3rd on the table after 10 games.
Katsina United have now dropped four solid points at home following this draw against Rangers and the one against MFM FC fortnight ago.
Coach Ogunbote side on the other hand have now picked three solid points on the road in three straight away match
The early minutes of Wednesday game at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium could not leave up to its billing as both teams were playing with caution and scared to take risk.
The game however burst to live after a thunderous close range strike from Eric Gwammy via a long throw-in by Tsawanya Samuel found the back of the net to give Katsina United the lead on 15 minutes
Enugu Rangers responded two minutes after the goal but Eze’s long range drive that could have leveled up for the visitors went many metres away from the cross-bar
Another equalizing opportunity on 27 minutes rested on Chidera Eze who connected well to a dangerous low cross from Uchebo but the former applied too much elevation on the ball and Katsina United restart the game with goal-kick
Despite enjoying larger part of the ball possession, Katsina United knocked and poked but could not get the security goal as the first half ended 1 – 0 in favour of the hosts
It was a bright start to the second half by the hosts as Martins Usule dribbled past his marker and could have scored on a one-on-one situation with Rangers goalkeeper Nana Bonsu both his effort hit the side netting just two minutes into the second half
Both teams introduced fresh legs to fortify their squad as the game continued to hot-up but Katsina United stood their ground and maintained the lead
On 72 minutes, John Aguda dribbled past Tsawanya on the left and unleashed a low strike that could not trouble Ezenwa who came out and collected the weak strike with ease
A well planned free-kick between Gwammy and Tsawanya that could have doubled the advantage of the hosts, deflected on its way and crashed against the cross-bar, a follow up effort by substitute Sherif Bashir was blocked by Rangers’ defender on 89minutes
Rangers would then level up on stoppage time after the fourth official had indicated one minute added time through substitute Seka Pascal who connected to a low cross in from John Aguda before lashing home.
Katsina United fought back but the additional time was not enough for them to restore the lead as the game ended 1 – 1
‘The Changi Boys’ will next travel to Enugu to battle Rangers on Sunday in the reversed fixture
Katsina United Team
Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Frank Kappe, Tsawanya Samuel, Ajanah Chinedu, Ikechukwu Nwachukwu, Usman Barau, Yushau Garba (Sherif Bashir 65’), Lukman Muhammed (Dominic Abah 74’), Tasiu Lawal, Eric Gwammy (Akeem Balogun 88’), Martins Usule
Unused Substitutes
Yinka David, Musa Suleman, Shinshima Monday, Ahmed Abdulkarim,
Cautions
Uchebo Micheal 50’
