By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
Usman Abdallah, head coach of Katsina United Football Club has lend credence to ‘win at all cost’ syndrome in Nigeria football after his side defeated Remo Stars of Ikenne 3-2 in the Day-35 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
Recalled that the Katsina vs Remo game was characterised with controversies and violence at the dying minutes and end of the game as officials of Remo Stars where said to have been attacked.
However, in an audio recording posted on NTA Dutse WhatsApp platform by Nasir Gide who covered the game, coach Abdallah asserted that Katsina United won the game fairly as the disputes and sentiments witnessed from supporters were usual in football.
Abdallah speaking affirmed, “I think we were lucky to have grabbed the three points and I’m happy; the important thing is to get the three points, it doesn’t matter how.”
Earlier, coach Abdallah dwelling on the controversies admitted there was an infringement on the goalkeeper in a goal scored which led to some disputes and disruption of the game even as the referee later allowed the goal and the game went on few minutes before the winning goal came.
“I think there was a foul on the goalkeeper, a goal was scored which was a little bit controversial, probably that was what caused the controversy; I didn’t see any foul or penalty, but at the end of the day, the referee gave the goal; you know supporters sometimes can be so sentimental,” he said.
All said and weighed, every follower of the NPFL will have the ‘eyes on the ball’ on how the league authorities will decide the case even as Katsina have earlier been issued a final warning – this incident could mail their coffin if justice is served.
