By Our African Football Correspondent
OWERRI, Nigeria – The Dan Anyiam Stadium was a cauldron of expectation on Monday, but by the final whistle, it was the visiting fans who were making all the noise. In a gritty Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter, Kun Khalifat saw their home turf advantage evaporate as Katsina United secured a clinical 1-0 victory.
Located in the heart of Owerri, the 10,000-capacity Dan Anyiam Stadium is known for its partisan atmosphere, often serving as a “fortress” for the Pride of Imo State. However, the legendary venue proved to be a happy hunting ground for the “Chanji Boys” from the North.
The decisive moment came in the 39th minute when Christopher Ezinwa capitalised on a lapse in the home side’s concentration.
His well-taken strike silenced the Owerri faithful and gave the visitors a lead they would refuse to relinquish.
Defensive Masterclass
Despite wave after wave of pressure from Kun Khalifat in the second half, the Katsina backline stood firm on the Dan Anyiam turf. The hosts, desperate to protect their home record at the iconic stadium, threw everything forward, but the equalizer remained elusive.
For Kun Khalifat, it is a bitter pill to swallow. Losing at the Dan Anyiam is a rare occurrence that will leave the management questioning their home form as the season intensifies.
For Katsina United, the long trip to the South-East was made entirely worth it, as they depart with all three points and a clean sheet.
As the sun set over Owerri, the scoreboard told the only story that mattered: Kun Khalifat 0, Katsina United 1.
