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| Katsina United vs ABS |
Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, came from behind twice to draw hosts, Katsina United in a two all draw on Sunday. The match day 32 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), encounter was played at the Muhammed Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
Former Kogi United playmaker, Ashadi Destiny, dribbled past no fewer than three ABS players before he fired from 30 yards to put the Chanji Boys ahead in the 34th minute. ABS attacker, Martin Ossy who was dangerous through the game leveled the score nine later when his effort from outside the box beat Okoli Okoli in goal for Katsina United.
Ossy had gotten a pass from Chukwuebuka Anaekwe, drove towards Katsina United’s defense before he got a chance to shoot at goal for the equaliser. Anaekwe raced back to his area from a lost attacking move to clear to corner for what would have restore the hosts’ lead on the dot of 45th minute.
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| ABS Players |
60 seconds into the restart, a well coordinated attacking move by Katsina United had resulted in Nurudeen Mudasir making a fantastic safe before Ibrahim Ahmed followed up to finish the job for him. The ABS young defender and Kwara Football Academy (KFA) product, Ahmed, hit his head against the post where he was unconscious for few minutes, before he was rushed to the hospital.
Martins Usule would have doubled the lead for the homers in the 50th when he was left unmarked but only managed to head wide. In the 56th minute, Joseph Adah, capitalized on a defensive mix-up to restore the lead for the hosts. He was later cautioned for removing his jersey during jubilations.
Akinbo Oluwasegun leveled the score for the Saraki Boys in the 61th minute, when his low shot beat Okoli in goal for the Chanji Boys.
The former Ikorodu United attacker had won the ball in the midfield before he stylishly sailed through Katsina United defense making a way for himself to shoot past Okoli to make it 2-2.
Two minutes later, Mudasir was stretched to the limit while keeping out Musa Suleiman’s attempt at goal. In the 68th minute, substitute Obinna Eleje, had a chance from the free kick to put his side ahead again but this time, his free kick hit the bar. The attempt deflected towards his teammates, one of them headed wide for goal kick.
Frank Kappe, went on a kung fu challenge on Akinbo Oluwasegun on the edge of his box, the Katsina United’s defender went unpunished from the challenge. Ernest Governor stepped forward to take the resultant free kick, his effort beat the wall but Okoli was in the right position to deal with it in the 77th minute.
Towards the end of the game, the hosts pegged the visitors to their area, but a combination of Ernest Governor and Chinedu Ajanah were hard knots for Katsina United’s attackers to crack.
Speaking after the game, ABS Ilorin FC Coach, Henry Makinwa, said his boys fought very hard to share the spoil. Makinwa explained that it was a very tough match, well contested tactically and technically by both teams.
He said his team has found the missing link, so he was not surprised he drew the game. “Katsina United was technically sound, matured than us but we gave a good account of ourselves. “We could beat anybody anywhere, tactically this team is okay, well structured.
“It was not easy for us, four goals?, that is what we want to see in the NPFL” Makinwa said. He called on the Saraki Boys fans to have faith in his boys and come out in large number to support their darling team on Sunday in Ilorin.
The former Rayo Vallecano attacker, commended Katsina United fans for supporting their team throughout the game. ABS will on Sunday in Ilorin take on Remo Stars of Shagamu in a Match Day 33 encounter.
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