By Our Man in ILORIN
ILORIN – Katsina United’s bizarre exile from their beloved Muhammadu Dikko Stadium delivered another hammer blow yesterday as they slumped to a crushing 0-1 defeat against Bendel Insurance.
Playing out of the Rasheed Yekini Mainbowl in Ilorin—a venue adopted after their Katsina ground was banned due to crowd trouble—the ‘Changi Boys’ desperately needed a win to lift the spirits of their geographically scattered faithful. Instead, the temporary home proved to be a house of horrors.
Bendel Insurance, affectionately known as the ‘Benin Arsenal,’ arrived at the makeshift venue determined to end their barren run on the road, and they seized their chance in the second half.
For the hosts, the psychological burden of playing so far from their true base appeared to take its toll.
The atmosphere, a far cry from the partisan roar of the 35,000-capacity Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, was subdued and expectant.
The deadlock was finally smashed in the 71st minute when substitute Elmer Arunta capitalized on a superb assist from Emmanuel Dung to fire home. It was a goal that not only gave Bendel Insurance a priceless three points but also secured their first away victory of the season, a fact that will sting the Katsina management and players even more.
The defeat piles more pressure on Katsina United, whose recent performances have been dogged by reports of off-field issues, including player protests over unpaid wages.
Their faithful are now left wondering when they will see their heroes return to the familiar ground of the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, a place often seen as a fortress. For now, the neutral turf of Ilorin remains a miserable, temporary stop-gap, a venue where the club’s struggles appear to be magnified with every final whistle.
Bendel Insurance’s great escape from the relegation zone is Katsina United’s continued descent into away-day misery… even when they’re the home team!
