Newly promoted Warri Wolves announced their NPFL return in stunning fashion with a 1-0 victory over Katsina United in Katsina, spoiling the home side’s start to the 2025/26 season.
It was a dramatic evening at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium as the South South side, back in the elite division after years in the lower tier, showed remarkable composure away from home.
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The decisive moment came in the 76th minute, when Igbunnu Evwierhurhoma etched his name into Wolves’ history with their first top-flight goal since returning to the elite league.
Despite late pressure from Katsina, the hosts could not break through, condemning them to their first home defeat of the campaign.
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Azeez Audu: “We just have to correct our mistakes”
After the game, Katsina United’s head coach, Azeez Audu Mohammed, cut a disappointed but pragmatic figure as he assessed the result:
“I’m not happy with the result, but there’s nothing I can do. We’ll just go back and check ourselves where we made mistakes to make corrections. That’s just it. Where we made mistakes, we make corrections and we see the way forward.”
Pressed on whether inexperience played a role in the defeat, the coach admitted his squad is still in transition.
“Most definitely, but if the old players are not around, then definitely we must use the new faces. That’s the only thing. There’s nothing we can do about it. All those playing now, 70 per cent of the players are new. But that’s not an excuse.
“They’ve been playing in their various clubs so that’s not an excuse. We just go back to make corrections because they are here with us. We just have to see how we can work our way through this defeat.”
Looking Ahead: Plateau United’s away test
Katsina United face an immediate test of character with an away clash against Plateau United looming large. Coach Azeez stressed that his side must quickly reset.
READ ALSO: NPFL: Evans Ogenyi defiant after Kano Pillars’ narrow defeat in Umuahia
“We prepare. We lost our game at home. Anybody can lose at home. That’s just it.”
Message to fans
Despite the disappointing start, the coach paid tribute to Katsina’s loyal supporters and gave a firm promise of improvement.
“They’ve tried their best. They’ve supported us. We’ve let them down today, but I assure them that we’ll come out good, inshallah.”
The defeat to Wolves underlines the unpredictability of the NPFL, where newly promoted sides often upset established teams.
For Katsina United, the challenge now is to turn early lessons into momentum before the season slips away.
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