Destiny Ashadi 53rd minute penalty goal was all Katsina United needed to secure the maximum points against El Kanemi Warriors and shoot ‘The Changi Boys’ to second spot on the NPFL table.
They have 27 points form 18 games, six points behind leaders Lobi Stars. El Kanemi have now dropped to 18th place with 19 points from 17 games
Coach Abdullahi Biffo told media that his boys delivered when it mattered most "Yes, it was a very tough game for us because the goals were not coming after my boys have created a lot of scoring opportunities, but I am happy they delivered by scoring the winning goal when it mattered most.
"Kudos to the boys because they played with all their mind and that was the reason why we got the goal. "We have now shifted our attention to the next game which is against Plateau United. “Hopefully, we will come back with something from Jos.”
‘The Changi Boys’ started the game brightly after Tasiu Lawal forced goalkeeper Jobe to a world-class save with a spectacular right-footed strike from about 23 yards out in the early minutes of the game.
El Kanemi Warriors also came close with a fantastic header by Anthony Yeful on 17 minutes, but Dami Paul was on hand to parry the danger to safety.
As the intensity of the game increased, Katsina United continued to dominate the game with Ashadi and Usman Barau dictating the pace of the game with crisp passes, but could not carve out a hole in the defence of the visitors.
Joshua Agboola came close on 30 minutes with a fabulous drive as Jobe did brilliantly once again to parry the ball to safety. Ashadi's goal-bound strike would then be blocked by Lucky Erimuya few minutes later.
Both teams poked and knocked severally, but could not find the back of the net as they went to the break with a goalless draw.
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On resumption, the visitors grew in confidence as they threw more men forward in search of a vital away goal. Barely two minutes into the second half, Tasiu Lawal ghosted past three markers and released a thunderbolt, but Jobe was on hand to palm the goal-bound effort to safety.
Katsina United would then break the deadlock on the 63rd minute with a penalty that was well taken by Ashadi after Martins Usule, who was ready to pounce on a dangerous pass into the goal area by Musa Suleman, was hacked down by Ebuka.
Samuel Mathias could have restored the parity in the 55th minute, but his clever free-kick from the edge of Katsina United box went inches away from goal.
Lively Tasiu Lawal could have doubled Katsina United advantage on the hour, but his right-footed strike went inches away from the crossbar. El Kanemi Warriors midfielder Razak Aliu was later sent off by the referee on 87 minutes for a dangerous tackle on Odeyemi Ebenezer, who had come on for Musa Suleman
The visitors effort to restore parity was thwarted by Katsina United defence led by Timothy Danladi as the game ended 1 - 0 in favour of the hosts.
Destiny Ashadi was voted Man of the Match by the journalists who covered the game.
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