NPFL Matchday 8: Katsina United Punish Enyimba’s Defensive Lapses in Four-Goal Thriller

Posted : 10 October 2026

Enyimba FC’s spirited second-half rally proved insufficient as Katsina United secured a 4-2 victory in their 2026/2027 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 encounter at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Friday.

The People’s Elephant recovered from a three-goal deficit to threaten an unlikely comeback, but defensive shortcomings ultimately undermined their efforts against the Changi Boys.

The hosts took an early lead in the sixth minute when a back pass from Emeka Onyema slipped past goalkeeper Dare Dede and crossed the goal line for an own goal.

Katsina nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later, but goalkeeper Francis Koroma denied Idris Abubakar’s long-range effort to keep Enyimba within reach.

The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Mubarak Sani unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 12th minute to make it 2-0.

Enyimba went into the break trailing by two goals, leaving the Aba-based side with a difficult task in the second half.

Their situation worsened in the 60th minute when Luis Dadong rose to connect with a cross and powered a header into the net, extending Katsina’s lead to 3-0.

Rather than surrender, Enyimba responded with renewed attacking intent, producing a determined fightback that briefly threatened to change the outcome.

Michael Chidera initiated the revival in the 67th minute, finishing off a well-delivered pass from Obichere to reduce the deficit.

Nine minutes later, Egbe Charles gave the visitors further hope when he rose above his marker to convert a flick from Richard Ezinwa, bringing the score to 3-2.

With momentum shifting, Enyimba pushed forward in search of an equaliser, committing more players to attack as Katsina struggled to contain the visitors’ resurgence.

However, their increased attacking commitment left spaces at the back, and Katsina capitalised in the 80th minute when Umar Rabiu finished off a counterattack to restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion at 4-2.

The goal effectively ended Enyimba’s comeback hopes, allowing Katsina to see out the contest and claim all three points.

For Enyimba, the defeat highlighted the cost of their early defensive collapse, despite the character and attacking determination they displayed after the interval.

Their two goals demonstrated their ability to fight back from adversity, but their failure to contain Katsina’s attacking threats proved decisive.

Katsina United, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their clinical finishing and ability to withstand Enyimba’s late pressure, as the Changi Boys secured a home victory in an entertaining Matchday 8 contest.

NPFL Matchday 8: Katsina United Punish Enyimba’s Defensive Lapses in Four-Goal Thriller

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