Kogi United bounce back to winning ways

• best Sokoto United 1-0 in Lokoja

Kogi United on Saturday ended their four game winless runs in the Nigeria National League (NNL) with a 1-0 home win over stubborn Sokoto United in the Matchday Nine of the  encounter in Lokoja.

Abubakar Tenimu converted a first half stoppage time penalty after Sokoto United goalkeeper Badamas Kazeem fouled Idris Muye in the six yard box and ensured Kogi United’s third win in as many games into the season.

The first real attempt came for Kogi United inside first ten minutes of the game when Salisu Tanko took a low cross to the edge of the box but Muye’s shot went off target.

After Micheal Bolaji’s appeal for a penalty was waived in the 11the minute, Matthew Idoko missed another opportunity to put the hosts in front when he failed to jab in Adewumi Femi’s free kick from close range.

It became an exchange of possessions between both sides as Sokoto gained confidence to attack but it was Kogi United who produced more threats to open score sheet.

With 10 minutes to end the first half, Kogi United initiated another attack from Abubakar Tenimu. The combative defender combined well with Idoko but the former couldn’t take his shot before Sokoto United keeper, Kazeem rushed out to rescue situation.

And within two minutes of added time to the first stanza, Kazeem became the culprit for the visitors as he conceded a penalty when he pushed Idris Muye off the ball in the penalty box.

After momentary delay of the restart, Tenimu calmly slotted in the ball past Kazeem to give the home side a deserved half time lead.

Both sides make early changes in resumption into business end of the encounter. Captain Ismail Mayaki was brought in for Adegbayo Ayuba while Sokoto subbed off Nurudeen Ibrahim for Joshua Garba.

Kogi United make quick impact with the changes as they produced quite number of scoring opportunities which the likes of Idris Muye, Salisu Tanko and John Jerome failed to bury.

Sokoto’s first and only shot on target arrived in the 75th minutes from Kelechi Mbowo with a long range shot but goalkeeper Ogundare Detan caught it well with theatrics.

Both sides tried to make a meaningful impacts in the final stage of the game but it was Kogi United who ran out victorious at the end.

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Head Coach of Kogi United, Tunde Abdulrahman expressed delight for his side’s victory but admitted there’s much work to be done to get the team be in full shape.

He however called for patience from the club’s teeming fans and supporters with a promised to make Kogi United a force to reckon with in the league.

“Well I’m relieved and happy we won, it’s the points that most important, but I’m still not satisfied with our scoring abilities, we still have work to do especially in the attack, it worries a coach whose team created chances and couldn’t convert them.

“I’m appealing to the supporters and fans to keep believe in the team, we will soon get better and win games, we appreciate their supports and we solicit more of it,” Abdulrahman said.

Assistant Coach of Sokoto United, Aminu Suleiman who commended both sides for a good game noted that Kogi United were lucky to ran out victorious.

“It was a good match, the two teams played very well, Kogi United were the lucky side today but I’m ok with my boys’ performance.

The Confluence state club will embark on long journey for their next game as they will take on Adamawa United in Fufore while Sokoto United returns home to host Kwara United in the Matchday 10 fixtures.