NPFL 2016/2017 MATCHDAY 29 PREVIEW:
Katsina United vs Shooting Stars
Katsina United will be looking to end their abysmal run of form away from home when they visit Shooting Stars in a matchday 29 fixture of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday, July 16, 2017 by 4pm.
The Chanji Boys defeated one of the NPFL front-runners Lobi Stars 2-1 last Sunday to maintain their unbeaten home record and at the same time steer clear of relegation worries.
Goals from Katsina United top scorer Chinedu Udechukwu and Suleman Ibrahim ensured that coach Baldwin Bazuaye boys remain unbeaten at home this season.
Shooting Stars, who are 19th on the log, held champions Enugu Rangers to a 1-1 draw in Enugu on Sunday, July 9.
It took Abu Azeez’s 76th minute equaliser for Shooting Stars to survive the onslaught of Enugu Ranger, following Godwin Aguda’s goal in the 29th minute.
The reverse of this match was played in February and it ended 1-1 in Katsina.
A spot kick goal by Katsina United captain Nasiru Sani, who just got his first international call-up last week, gave his team the lead in the first half only for ‘the Oluyole Warriors to fight back and draw level via a powerful header at the tail end of the second 45 minutes.
Katsina United, who are poor travellers, will put in everything into this game as they are looking forward to pick their first point on the road in 10 games and first goal in seven games.
Coach Bazuaye expressed confidence his team can upset Shooting Stars at home
“Yes, it is possible for us to pick a positive point here in Ibadan,” he assured.
“We have been working on how we can end our poor run of form away from home and I am sure we are gradually correcting our mistakes.
“Who knows? We can actually get it right here in Ibadan. We will continue to fight until we get it right.
“If Shooting Stars could come to Katsina and pick a point, who says we cannot beat Shooting at home?
“Let’s just wait and allow the 90 minutes to decide the outcome of the game.”
However, Musa Suleman and Chinedu Udechukwu have been ruled out of this crucial match due to injury and some other key players did not make this trip due to fatigue.
Previous Meeting:
Both teams clashed when Shooting Stars visited Katsina in the on-going NPFL season in February and the game ended 1-1.
They will have to be at their best if they want to end their poor run of form away from home and grind out a positive result in this epic clash
Katsina United have just been able to pick two points away from home thus far this season out of possible 52 points.
And they have gone seven games away without a goal.
The last time ‘The Chanji Boys’ scored away from home was against Wikki Tourists at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi and it was scored by Ashadi Destiny.
Shooting Stars home run of form in the last five league games:
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Katsina United away run of form in the last five league games:
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Shooting Stars run of form in the last five league games:
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Katsina United run of form in the last five league games:
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Shooting Stars have garnered 33 points from 28 matches, while Katsina United who are occupying the 12th position on the league table have 38 points from 28 games.
Players to Watch:
Shooting Stars – Abu Azeez
Katsina United – Suleman Ibrahim