Head Coach of Kogi United, Tunde Abdulrahman has expressed delight over his side’s performance in their 4-0 romp of Igho FC of Delta State in the Round 64 encounter of 2018 Aiteo Cup competition on Sunday in Akure,National Daily learnt.
Kogi United scored the four goals in the first half to book the Round of 32 ticket in a seemingly one sided affairs played at the Akure Township Stadium.
Kingsley Ogwuche opened the score sheet with a well taken free kick six minutes into the game.
Daniel Frimpong’s rebounded effort doubled United’s lead in the 23rd minutes after Igho FC keeper Dan Anthony had parried Ibrahim Enesi’s shot to his path.
Enesi would soon get his goal -United’s third- in the 35th minutes as he calmly rounded the keeper before slotting home the ball.
Osas Eghe was upended in Igho FC’s box and was assigned to take spot kick which he converted to make it 4-0 with four minutes to end the first stanza.
The Igho FC boys stepped up their game in the second half as they created few scoring chances, forcing United’s goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare to make some incredible saves on two occasion.
United also creates few chances in the second half to increase goal tally but could not find the cutting edge.
Coach Abdulrahman who described the victory as a good way to start the oldest football competition in the country said his boys played as expected just as he blamed the change in the kickoff as reason for not giving more especially in the second half.
The former Wikki Tourists’ gaffer however expressed optimism that his team would improve their performance ahead of next round.
“I feel very delighted with the way played and get the job done quickly, it was as planned and I really commend my players for their performance, it showed they are really dedicated to achieve something good this season.
“We are supposed to score more, especially in the second half but the boys looked fatigued, you know its being a while they play competitive games and with change in our kickoff time, but its a good way to begin this competition, I don’t want to set a target because I don’t want to put the boys under unnecessary pressure but I’m hopeful we will do well this time with improved performance,” Abdulrahman said.