Katsina United will hope to return to winning ways when they square up against Niger Tornadoes Sunday in one of the NPFL matchday 6 fixtures at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina
‘The Changi Boys’ are languishing at the bottom of Group B table after picking three points from possible six points. They are one position better than their next opponent on the league table
They lost their last match in Osogbo to Remo Stars 2 – 0 and will do everything possible to ensure they return to winning ways when they trade tackles against fellow northerners Niger Tornadoes
‘The Ikon Allah’ Boys have also not been impressive this season as they are yet to win a game in five matches played thus far.
Going to this game, Katsina United will have the boost of their coach Abdullahi Biffo who will be on the touch line for the first time this season after missing the last two games due to medical instruction after he was freed by the kidnappers unhurt.
Biffo’s first match of the season will be against Niger Tornadoes, a team he tutored three seasons ago
Biffo told the press men that the fans should expect nothing other than the three points.
“We lost a game we should have won against Remo Stars due to the poor condition of the pitch in Osogbo,” he said.
“We have put the loss behind us and our focus now is Tornadoes. We know them and they know us very well. They have a very experienced coach in Bernard Ogbe.
“The fans should expect nothing less than the three points in that game because our position on the league table is not good.
“Even though, we have three outstanding games, it’s not a yardstick for us to be in that position.”
*Team News*
Coach Abdullahi Biffo is expected to return to the technical area after missing the last two games.
Katsina United mercurial midfielder Destiny Ashadi remains a major doubt for this encounter due to groin injury he sustained in a friendly match against FC International Abuja three weeks ago.
Former Funtua Sharks midfielder Umar Ladua is also doubtful due to groin injury he picked up in training recently.
Faisal Sani is back in training after shaking off fever that ruled him out of the last two games, but may also not make the squad as he has continued to struggle for fitness.
*Previous Meetings*
Both teams have met three times in the NPFL and it’s Katsina United who have the bragging right after winning two and drawn one.
Their first-ever meeting in the NPFL ended in a draw in 2017 at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja. The reversed fixture of that encounter at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina ended 1 – 0 in favour of ‘The Changing Boys’ with a late strike by Obinna Eleje after combining well with Destiny Ashadi.
In 2018, goals from Chinedu Ajanah and Eric Dufegha put Tornadoes to the sword and condemned them to their second loss to Katsina United in the Nigeria top flight league at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
*Standings*
Katsina United are 11th on the league table with three points amassed from two games, while Tornadoes are 12th with 3 points from five games.
*Form guides in the last five NPFL games*
Katsina United – LWLWW
Niger Tornadoes – LDDLD
*Players to Watch*
Katsina United – Lukman Muhammed
Niger Tornadoes – Mustapha Aliko
Venue – Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina
Date – Sunday, 3rd February, 2019.
Time – 4pm
