I’m ready for 3SC clash, Katsina Utd striker

Players of the Shooting Stars Sports Clubs (3SC) having a workout ahead of NNL.. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN.

Katsina United’s striker, Chinedu Udechukwu allays fear of a fresh injury following his substitution against Lobi Stars saying he and his team-mates are battle-ready for the clash with relegation-haunted Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) today.

The match day 29 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game holds at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

Udechukwu had missed five successive league matches for the Chanji Boys after he copped an ankle injury in their away loss to Nasarawa United on June 8.

He scored on his return last Sunday in the fourth minute in their 2-1 home win over Lobi Stars, but was replaced by Ado Ali in the 76th minute of the encounter.

“I am fine and in top shape for our match against 3SC. I was replaced after the coaches noticed that I got muscle pull. I last played a league game over a month ago and it is expected that I will be eased in gradually. I am happy to have scored on my league return. It is the best gift for me after my return,” Udechukwu told Goal.

Katsina United are 12th on the league table with 38 points from 28 games while 3SC are 19th with 33 points.

Meanwhile, 3SC forward, Ajani Ibrahim has lauded the impact of team-mate Abu Azeez who scored his first goal last Sunday against Rangers in Enugu since his mid-season move to the Oluyole Warriors.

“I am not surprised at the form of Azeez since he joined us. He has always proved to be a good player since he came in. Even though he just got his first goal for us, he has always been assisting us with his direct playing pattern. His goal and the way he played against Enugu Rangers showed he desires we remain in the topflight at the end of the season and it is what we are canvassing for.

“The draw has boosted our renewed confidence that we can survive the drop zone and we shall keep on pushing harder until we achieve our objective.

“Our next match is against Katsina United [today] and it is our belief that we can beat them and add another important victory to the ones we have got,” Ajani, a former Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Dolphins forward said.