NPFL: Tasiu Lawal, Sherif Bashir star as Katsina United move to top four

Tasiu Lawal, Sherif Bashir star as Katsina United move to top four By Admin Katsina United defeated Lobi Stars 2 – 0 in one of the star matches of the NPFL Matchday 13 fixtures decided at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina Sunday Tasiu Lawal 19th minute strike and substitute Sherif Bashir's late goal salvaged all the three important points for ‘The Changi Boys’ as they maintained their unbeaten home run of form. The former Niger Tornadoes winger Tasiu Lawal has increased his goal tally to four after he found the back of the net on 19 minutes to put Katsina United in front and substitute Sherif Bashir scored his second of the season to double the advantage of the hosts. Katsina United have moved to fourth on the league table with 17 points amassed from 12 games and they will welcome Enugu Rangers to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Wednesday in a rearranged NPFL match day 2. Sunday's game started with a very low intensity as both teams looked jaded and tired early into the proceedings. It was the visitors who had the first opportunity to score, but Sikiru Alimi somehow missed an open net after a loose ball in the box that Katsina United defenders could not handle bounced into his path just two minutes into the game. Three minutes later, Katsina United mercurial midfielder Destiny Ashadi dribbled past three defenders and found his way into the opposition danger area, but his low strike let him down as it went inches away from the target. Coach Biffo was forced to make his first substitute on 16 minutes after Destiny Ashadi got injured and Yushau Garba came on to replace him. Shinshima Monday could have scored for the hosts on 17 minutes after he connected well to a clever pass from Lukman Muhammed, but his close-range volley went just wide. Tasiu Lawal would then find the back of the net on 19 minutes to give Katsina United an important early lead after he was played through by Tsawanya Samuel. Lobi Stars started finding their feet in the game as they enjoyed more ball possession building from the middle of the park, but they lacked the killer instinct There was a penalty shout from the Bench of Katsina United on 25 minutes after Kelechi Ogoh handled the ball in his own box, but the referee was not interested.  Lobi Stars fought very hard in search of the equalizer with Samad Kadiri and Sikiru Alimi leading the attack, but they could not find the breakthrough as the first half ended 1 – 0 in favour of the hosts. It was a lively start to the second half as both teams tested the two goalkeepers, but nothing came out of it. Alimi found space on the right flank and whipped in a dangerous low pass in but onrushing Kadiri could not manage a touch as the ball beat everyone in the box and slipped out of play on 48 minutes Tasiu Lawal found the back of the net on 50 minutes but it was ruled out for offside. The trio of Usman Barau, Lukman Muhammed and Tasiu Lawal won the midfield battle for Katsina United as they dictated the pace of the game from the middle of the park and put their opponents on the back foot as they pushed for the security goal. Both teams introduced some fresh legs to fortify their teams as they continued to search for goals. Samad Kadiri could have drawn the visitors level, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Ajanah Chinedu on 70 minutes. The tactical substitute of coach Abdullahi Biffo paid off on 85 minutes, when substitute Sherif Bashir poked home a passing header from Ajanah off a brilliant corner kick by Yushau Garba to double Katsina United advantage on the evening. Lobi Stars fought back, but were repelled by the defence of Katsina United led by former ABS defender Ajanah Chinedu as the game ended 2 – 0 in favour of Katsina United. Tasiu Lawal was adjudged man of match by the pressmen in the stadium. The win placed Katsina United in the fourth on the log with 17 points from 12 games. Katsina United Team Ikechukwu Ezenwa - Frank Kappe, Tsawanya Samuel , Ajanah Chinedu, Ikechukwu Nwachukwu, Usman Barau, Destiny Ashadi (Yushau Garba 17’), Shinshima Monday (Sherif Bashir 63’), Lukman Muhammed (Dominic Abah 87’), Tasiu Lawal, Martins Usule Unused Substitutes Ynka David, Musa Suleman, Abdulkarim Ahmed, Akeem Balogun