Katsina United will play their first game behind closed doors today when they host Rivers United in an NPFL rescheduled Week 13 match at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Katsina United are being sanctioned after a crowd incident after their home game against Enyimba.
Fans will not be allowed into this game and only those officially accredited will watch the fixture.
All the same, ‘The Chanji Boys’, who are just coming back from a humiliating 3-0 loss at Plateau United in Jos last week, will throw everything into this game to ensure they pick the maximum points if they want to end the first round of the NPFL 2016/2017 season in a better position.
Meanwhile, Rivers United are now a team reborn after heart-warming results both home and abroad. They won their last two league matches at home before booking the group stage ticket in the Confederation Cup by defeating Rayon Sports 2 – 0 in Port Harcout and holding their hosts to a 0-0 in the second leg in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Port Harcourt team will be banking on their recent good run of form to do damage when they face Katsina United on Thursday.
This is the first time both teams will be meeting in a competitive competition.
Katsina United are enjoying a very good home record as they are yet to taste defeat at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in the NPFL. They have dropped only two points at home thus far this season after drawing with Akwa United and Shooting Stars.
Rivers United have picked three points on the road this season after they struggled away from Port Harcourt in the last campaign.
Katsina United form in the last 5 home games
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Rivers United form in the last 5 away games
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Katsina United form in the last five league matches
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Rivers United in the last five league games
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Katsina United, who are currently occupying 15th position with 22 points from 18 games, cannot afford to lose this game as they are doing everything possible to end the first stanza of the season in a better position.
On the other hand, Rivers United are 16th on the table with 21 points from 16 games with three games in hand.
They will put in everything to avoid defeat in this encounter so as to stay clear of relegation trouble.
Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma said: “We are in Katsina to pick the maximum points. We want to continue to win so as to improve our position on the NPFL table.”
Star Players :
Katsina United – Obinna Eleje
Rivers United – Bolaji Sakin
Venue – Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina
Time – 4PM
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