A 68th-minute header by Captain Eghe Osas from an Omooloyi Opeyemi pull out from the left flank was all Kogi United FC needed to cart home all 3 points against a spirited Kebbi United FC to ease their relegation worries on Saturday at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja.
Both teams started the afternoon absolutely well going for each other’s jugular but it was the host who were more ferocious in front of goal with goal-scoring opportunities constantly coming their way and would have gone ahead in the early minutes of the tense game but the frontline was somewhat wasteful in front of goal.
Stanley Victor who stood in between the sticks for the visitors was called to duty early in the 9th minutes when a loose ball found its way towards his area but was quickly disposed of by the rampaging Umoru Omajagwu who quickly laid for Jibril Abdulwahab to slot home but played into the waiting arms of Stanley who has regained balance and return to his post.
Kogi United kept the pressure on their opponents and was the better of the two sides in terms of goal opportunities but all effort to open score proved abortive. The combination of Salisu Tanko, left full-back Omooloyi Opeyemi, John Jerome, Umoru Omajagwu and Jibril Abdulwahab all came close to scoring but either found Stanley Victor waiting patiently or the visitor’s defence line denying them the opportunity. It continued like that till the first half came to an end.
On resumption of hostilities in the second half, both teams continued their onslaught as they intensified efforts to open score. The host’s inability to take the chances that came their way continued until a pull out from Omooloyi Opeyemi founds Eghe Osas who wasted no time in slotting in to put his side in the driving seat.
The host pulled Tunde Oladapo out and brought in Tenimu Abubakar to beef up their backline. Jibril Abdulwahab was also replaced with Idris Muye after he got injured.
The introduction of Ibrahim Enesi to replace Salisu Tanko in the 70th minute nearly yielded something for the home side as he got a pass from John Jerome and tried to make a darting run towards goal but was caught offside before he could take a swipe at goal. Proceedings remained at 1-0 until the referee from Bauchi signaled the end of hostilities
Technical Advisor of Kogi United Coach Abdulrahaman Aliyu thanks God for the victory even though he chided his lads for their inability to convert most of the golden chances that came their way.
“Our opponent came with a game plan and it almost worked for them. I don’t know what’s wrong with my striker. We got a handful of decent opportunities but my boys were wasteful.
Coach Usman Yinka of Kebbi United describes his opponent as an improved side and also refused to make comments about the level of officiating but however said he will go back home and re-strategize ahead of his side’s next match
Kogi United will next travel to Malumfashi in a make or Mar battle they desperately needed to stay in the Nigeria National League
