BY OUR FOOTBALL DESK
IT IS one of the most intimidating arenas in African football—and yesterday the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium lived up to its reputation as a graveyard for title ambitions.
Rivers United arrived in the North as the NPFL’s “big noise,” but they left with only a whimper and a point after being sucked into the 35,000-capacity vortex of the Karkanda.
In a match where the concrete stands seemed to vibrate with the roar of the home support, the “Chanji Boys” of Katsina United proved that no matter how much quality you have on paper, the Muhammadu Dikko turf is the ultimate leveller.
The home fans didn’t have to wait long for the stadium to erupt. In the 24th minute, Azeez Falolu sent the Katsina faithful into a frenzy, ghosting into the box to fire home a clinical opener.
For a moment, it looked like the league leaders were going to be buried under the weight of the atmosphere.
The sun-baked arena became a wall of sound as the home side dominated the first half, leaving the “Pride of Rivers” looking like they’d lost their roar.
But you don’t stay at the top of the table without a backbone. Rivers United weathered the storm—and the relentless chanting—to find a lifeline late on.
With just 14 minutes left on the clock, Stephen Manyo popped up to silence the 35,000-strong crowd, nodding home a vital equaliser in the 76th minute.
The final whistle brought a 1-1 draw that felt more like a battle won for the hosts and a lucky escape for the visitors.
Rivers United remain at the summit, but they’ll be having nightmares about the Muhammadu Dikko for weeks. In the NPFL, everyone knows: if you survive a trip to Katsina, you can survive anything.
