Katsina United bank on Mangal millions for Nigeria premier league battle

Aminu Balele Kurfi - Katsina United chairman

Saturday Oct 22, 2016. 15:06

Promoted Katsina United hope their budget in the Nigeria premier league will be boosted with support from multi-millionaire business mongul Dahiru Mangal.

Mangal, who owns MaxAir Airline among various other business interests, supported neigbouring Niger Republic for their 2013 AFCON campaign in South Africa.

Katsina United are back in the Nigeria top flight after a 19-year absence and club boss Aminu Balele Kurfi said he hopes the team will receive additional support from Katsina-based business magnate Mangal to ensure they take the league by storm.

The Katsina United chairman appreciated the enormous financial support they have received from Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari, but argued they will need to explore other revenue streams to be competitive in the NPFL.

“We have enormous challenge on our hands. Now that we are in the top flight of the Nigerian league, we need more funds to survive,” Kurfi said.

“Even as we have enjoyed unwavering support from government, we can no longer depend on a single source. We need to diversify and we are calling on corporate bodies to come to our aid.

“We are targeting people like Dahiru Mangal, a philanthropist who is known for supporting sports. We know how passionate he is about the game of polo. We believe he will be willing to extend his magnanimity to Katsina United.

“There are so many other Katsina State indigenes who love sports and are there for us to meet for assistance.

“If given the necessary support, we shall reciprocate by winning laurels for the state.”