By Our African Football Correspondent in Katsina
FOOTBALL, eh? Just when you think the NPFL has shown you every trick in the book, Katsina United and Bayelsa United go and serve up a five-goal masterclass that had the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium rocking.
In a breathless Sunday afternoon encounter, the “Chanji Boys” from the north proved just too hot to handle for their southern visitors, securing a 3-2 victory that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a league fixture.
The afternoon belonged to the stars who refused to read the script. Katsina’s midfield maestro Jonas Yusuf drew first blood in the 20th minute, ghosting into the box to finish a move that was as clinical as it was stylish. It was the kind of goal that settled nerves and ignited the home crowd.
But Bayelsa, fighting for their top-flight lives, weren’t about to roll over. They hit back just seven minutes later, dragging themselves level in a frantic opening half-hour.
Just as the game looked to be drifting toward a stalemate at 2-2—after a seesaw second half that saw the visitors refuse to quit—up stepped the man of the hour, U. Collins.
With only six minutes left on the clock, Collins produced a moment of pure magic.
Showing the composure of a seasoned veteran, he lashed home the winner in the 84th minute, sending the Katsina faithful into absolute raptures. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement of intent for a side now surging up the table into 8th place.
For Bayelsa United, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite their grit, they remain mired in the relegation dogfight, sitting 19th and staring down the barrel of the drop.
They found the net twice, but in the face of Katsina’s star power, it simply wasn’t enough.
Katsina United manager will be grinning from ear to ear tonight.
His side showed they have the “bottle” for the big occasion, moving to 49 points and proving that when the stars align in the desert, they shine brighter than anywhere else in Nigeria.
STAT ATTACK
Katsina United: 3 (Yusuf 20’, 45’, Collins 84’)
Bayelsa United: 2 (27’, 70’)
Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium
Attendance: 18,500