Chinedu Udechukwu's brace from the spot earned home side, Katsina United maximum points against Sunshine Stars in a relegation six pointer at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Sunday.
Both Katsina United and Sunshine Stars head into the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 36 tie in need of as much as possible points from the remaining three matches of the season to secure safety. That was evidenced in the adventurous and lively approach to game from both sides from the kickoff.
After early openings created in both ends of the game were not properly utilised the Chanji Boys found a breakthrough in the 15th minute when Sunshine Stars got penalised for a hand the ball in the area. Chinedu stepped forward and converted from the resulting penalty to hand the hosts an early advantage.
Sunshine Stars took charge of proceedings fully after conceding the opener and were so close to finding an equaliser on numerous occasions in the first half particularly through Thomas Adeshina who could not just find a way to beat United goal keeper, Yinka David with some begging chances.
In the early part of the second half Katsina United earned another penalty when Kelechi Ogoh was adjudged to have fouled Usele Martins just inside the area, and Chinedu had no trouble dispatching past Ariyo David for the second time to double the lead of the hosts.
Ariyo David who had a great a game will later made some stunning saves to keep the Duke Udi tutored side in the game, but the Akure Landlords searched in futility till the end for a goal that could have ignited a real come back.
Coach Duke Udi in a post match interview with Sunshine Stars FC Media absorbed the referee of any blame on the penalty calls but maintained his team remained on course for NPFL stay despite the loss.
- Udi noted: "The ref was right with the penalty calls, we conceded the penalties ourselves and we failed to earn anything from the game due to our wastefulness particularly in the first half. Imagine the begging chances. Shame we couldn't take them."
"I still believe we will avoid relegation this season though some interesting plans are playing out in the league at this stage, am not fazed we have our destiny in our own hands heading into the last two games of the season and it is up to us to decide our fate starting with our next home tie against FC Ifeanyi Ubah."
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