Kogi United secured a hard fought 1-0 win over Adamawa United in the Matchday 17 of Bet9ja Nigeria National League clash in Lokoja on Saturday.
The Northern Conference encounter, played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, had the hosts getting the full points courtesy of an 88th minute penalty converted by Abubakar Tenimu after substitute John John was upended in the box by Yahaya Ismail.
Kogi United, who dominated the proceedings from inception, failed to convert their numerous begging chances as Adamawa’s crowded defence and impressive goalkeeper Bulus Pwadadi denied them the from scoring.
The boys from Yola employed a sit back tactic for the entire proceedings, frustrating their hosts enjoying the game.
Kogi United came close to getting a goal in the first half, but Idris Muye wasn’t lucky to head home a cross from Ibrahim Mustapha and Pwadadi denied him another glorious chance before the first half ended.
Coach Tunde Abdulrahman effected quick changes on resumption as John John, who starred for the club in their last home win over FC Abuja, replaced John Jerome, and the striker almost put his side in front from a set piece moments afterwards.
It was the same John John who earned the Confluence state’s club a penalty with 12 minutes remaining when he was tripped in the box by Ismail Yahaya as he was about to take aim at goal from Mustapha’s corner.
Adamawa United players walked to the sideline in protest to the referee’s decision.
But after coming back to the pitch, they encroached the penalty area before Tenimu could take the hit, making the referee to call for the retake of the spot kick.
That did not go down well with the Yola-based club as they staged a second walk out till the 88th minute.
The Kogi United defender however scored the resultant penalty, giving the home side the victory.
The Head Coach of the home side, Tunde Abdulrahman, who expressed dissatisfaction with his Boys’ profligacy in front of goal, noted that the victory was a deserved one as Adamawa employed defensive tactics to frustrate his side throughout the match.
Abdulrahman however expressed confidence that Kogi United would improve on their performance to get decent results in their subsequent games, just as he solicited continued support from fans and supporters of the club.
He said: “It wasn’t a good game as Adamawa didn’t come out to play. They intended to frustrate us with their defensive pattern and get us on counter, but they’ve paid dearly for it and I’m happy we got the full points, which is the most important.
“I must confess we were not too sharp in the attack. We could have gotten at least three goals in the first half alone. I do believe we will learn from this and get it right in the next games, starting from Sokoto United match. I’m sure we will come out good from that game by God’s grace. We will continue to appeal to our supporters and fans to keep rallying round us.”
His counterpart from Adamawa United, John Phillip, who wasn’t pleased with the result, said the defensive tactics almost worked for his side as he expected Kogi United to dominate the game more.
Coach Phillip queried the decision for the penalty to be retaken just as believes Adamawa still stands a good good chance of ending the season well.
He said: “I’m not expected to be happy with the result as I felt we should get at least a point here. Yes we came with a pattern and we almost got it, if not the penalty, which I didn’t think it had to be retaken but we leave it at that. I still think we will finish well with the way we are playing.”
Kogi United, with 20 points from 14 games, will next travel to Sokoto to face Sokoto United next week, while Adamawa United, who remain on 19 points, will host Kaduna United in Fufore.
NNL: Kogi United edge stubborn Adamawa United
