Katsina United – News, players salary, stadium

Katsina United – News, players salary, stadium
Credit: @katsinaunited Twitter

Katsina United are back in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), and the Changi Boys want to make it a memorable comeback.

It was difficult in the past year for the northern Nigeria side, who dropped to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in 2021 alongside top sides like Kano Pillars and Heartland of Owerri. They competed in the Northern Conference (NNL).

Katsina United completed the mission to return to the elite division with Kano Pillars, Heartland of Owerri. They did it the first time of asking.

Katsina United has existed for the past 29 years and is yet to make a splash in Nigeria football circles, but is that about to change? Their captain Usman Bara’u thinks so.

He believes the support of the state government was instrumental to their quick return to the NPFL.

Can they repay the faith? Time will tell.

Manager – Tony Bolus

Tony Bolus is the new manager of Katsina United. He signed as coach of the club after the conclusion of the NNL promotion playoffs. The former MFM FC coach took over from Usman Abdallah, whose contract expired and did not get a renewal.

Bolus, who has also managed the defunct Giwa FC, Malumfashi FC and MFM FC, signed a two-year contract with the Changi Boys.

Bolus was also an assistant coach at Enugu Rangers in 2017 and was the head coach of Nigeria National League side Vandrezzer FC. He helped Vandrezzer FC survive relegation two seasons ago.

The experienced tactician signed a two-year contract with the Chanji Boys.

The 53-year-old once managed the defunct Giwa FC and Malumfashi FC Bolus was also the coach of MFM FC.

Bolus was also an assistant coach at Rangers in 2017.

Star players

  • Samson Olasupo (Souley)
  • Emmanuel Junior
  • Usman Bara'u (captain)
  • Kenneth Amia

Players salary

Katsina United have had issues in the past concerning player salaries.

In 2020, the players complained about not being paid for five months. The rancour almost capsized the boat, but they steadied the ship, as the state government was quick to the rescue by paying off four months.

There are no available records of how much the players earn.

However, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was able to arm-twist the management of Katsina United into a N700,000 deal. He was among the top earners in the league.

With a base salary of N150,000, the highest earner at Katsina United is believed to earn around N350,000.

Stadium – Muhammadu Dikko Stadium

The Changi boys play their games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. It is a stadium designed for football and athletics. It is in the state capital – Katsina.

The stadium is the property of the Katsina state government. The government started building the stadium in the early 1990s under the military leadership of John Madaki.

With the project abandoned, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema set about finishing it. The stadium was completed and opened for use in 2013.

It was initially named Karkanda Stadium, but in 2016 it was renamed. The stadium has a sitting capacity of 35,000

The facility has a gymnasium and fitness club and was also the home ground for El Kanemi Warriors.

Katsina United – Latest news

Mbaoma leaves Katsina United

Victor Mbaoma, who joined the Changi Boys from Algerian side Mouloudia Oran has left the Katsina side after a brief spell. He has now hooked up with Rwandan champions Armee Patriotique Rwandaise FC.

Mbaoma joined the Changi Boys shortly before NNL Playoffs, where he scored all their goals to finish second in the Northern Conference to secure a return to the NPFL.

He signed a two-year contract on a monthly wage of around N2.7 million.

Katsina United do not renew the contract with Abdallah

With the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier League season about to commence, Katsina United have decided not to renew the contract of their manager Usman Abdallah.

Abdallah, who also managed Kano Pillars and Enyimba, led the Katsina side on a swift return to the NPFL.

Katsina United signs new manager

Following the expiration of the contract of former manager Usman Abdallah, the management of the Changi Boys has appointed former MFM FC coach Tony Bolus.

Sponsorship

The Katsina state government manages Katsina United. They currently do not have any sponsors.

Academy

Katsina United has an academy/feeder team.

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Chooka Izuegbuna
Chooka Izuegbuna is a Sports Journalist with 20 years of experience in print, TV and Radio. He has worked with some of the top media houses in Nigeria, including NTA Network, Channels TV, TVC, Silverbird TV and MITV. Chooka broke his sports reporting teeth with The Game Football Weekly in 2003 as a cartoonist and reporter. Chooka has a passion for football and has been a fan of Enugu Rangers (over 30 years) and Real Madrid (Since 1996).
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