Katsina United head coach, Usman Abdallah, has described the Naija Super 8 play-off derby with Kano Pillars, as an equivalent of their Nigeria Professional Football League rivalry.
Both clubs currently ply their trade in the Nigeria National League. Abdallah explained that despite their current status, the North-West derby with Kano Pillars is always a big fixture.
"Playing against Kano Pillars is like playing an NPFL team. They are still a strong side despite playing in the second division like us," the former Enyimba coach said.
Abdallah also views the Naija Super 8 play-offs as a good avenue to test his team before the NNL playoff. He added that Katsina United's playing personnel is a work in progress at the moment.
"The Naija Super 8 play-offs in Eket is a good fixture for us before the NNL playoff. You have to beat teams to stay in the running. At present, we are a developing team because we lost around 60 - 70% of first-team players when the club was relegated from the NPFL.
"So I had to bring in players from the B-team and now we have about 60% of locals who have never played professional league football before. Right now we are developing players who can play at this level," he said.
The former Wikki Tourists coach was reluctant to give details on his team's chances but stated that "we're ready for the match."
Katsina United will go head-to-head with Kano Pillars at the Eket Township Stadium on 25 June. The winner of the match will represent the zone in the main Naija Super 8 tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from 7-16 July.
Katsina United vs Kano Pillars and other Naija Super 8 play-off matches will be live on SuperSport Football (DStv ch 205 & GOtv ch 61), SuperSport Variety 4 (DStv ch 209), and SuperSport Select 2 (GOtv ch 64).
Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors, MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.