Katsina United head coach Abullahi Biffo says the poor conversion rate of his strikers is to be faulted for their slim 1-0 win over Heartland FC in their Matchday 13 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
A well-taken penalty in the third minute of play converted by Lukman Muhammed gave Katsina United all three points, but Biffo believes it could have been more if his players had taken their chances in the game.
Katsina United failed to score despite creating numerous chances especially after Heartland were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Abiodun Thompson for two bookable offences in the second half.
“My boys were not on top of their game in terms of goalscoring. We had chances to kill this game off right from the first half but we didn’t make use of them. Normally we convert such chances. It’s just one of those days,” Biffo said.
Heartland were unfortunate to concede an early penalty when Odeh Uche handled a cross from Tasiu Lawal in his bid to clear the danger with Eric Dufegha waiting to pounce for Katsina United in the box.
Although goalkeeper Opubo Japhet guessed the right way, the power in the ?strike from Lukman Muhammed took the ball away from him. Heartland almost responded immediately but Fuad Ekelojuoti failed to utilise a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Dami Paul.
Ekelojuoti hit his effort straight at the goalkeeper after a through-ball from Thompson sliced open the defence of the home side, leaving him through on goal with the goalkeeper at his mercy in the final action of the first half.
Heartland started the second half with intent to draw level but their course was made worse when Thompson got himself sent off for dissent, after vehemently protesting a call that went against him five minutes after the restart.