The week 23 NPFL match played on Wednesday May 26 between Adamawa United and Katsina United at the Ribadu Square Stadium, Yola have been won and lost but the feel of injustice call by the center referee Udeh Kingsley will remain as fresh as dew in the heart of Katsina United faithfuls.
The keenly contested match had the Shingi boys trailing by a lone goal courtesy of own goal by Abdulmalik Sanusi but were determined to get back on level terms. It though the central referee Udeh Kingsley had another plan as he denied Katsina United what seems like a legitimate penalty.
The officiating referee, from Kwara State dubiously overlooked a penalty call when Adamawa United defender fouled a Katsina United forward Abdulwasiu Mahmud who was brought down in the box while heading towards goal to the dismay of Katsina United management who were hopeful of getting something out of the game possibly to take them off the relegation zone.
A quick exchange of passes between Nnosiri and Yusuf had Abdulwasiu through on the left flank with handful of Adamawa defenders to beat but was hacked down in the penalty area when an Adamawa United player tuck his leg between Wasiu's legs thus sending him to the ground. After hesitating momentarily, the center referee decided otherwise and waved goal kick.
Replay of the incident showed there was a foul on Wasiu in the box, a scene that plays out in just about every football match in the NPFL most especially when Katsina United plays yet hardly ever produces a whistle for such a transgression.
Katsina United sits in 17th position on the log with 22points after 23 round of matches with high hope of surviving the drop but this monetary goofed by the central referee cost the team a potential valuable point on the road and deepen them in relegation battle zone.
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