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Kogi United will attempt to dim the light of their Gombe based opponents, FC Yarmalight when both sides engage each other in a must win encounter to maintain life in the Nigeria National League, NNL next season.
Kogi United who stays on sixth position with 15 points in the eight-teams Group A1 table would need a comfortable victory to wrap up their final home game of the season, and to certainly sure of stay in the second division irrespective of any result elsewhere.
Yarmalight on the other hand are condemned to make a quick return to the Amateur division having gained promotion last season. The privately owned club (owned and financed by Mallam Farouk Yarma) are last on the table with 12 points from 12 games and they are expected to put up a great fight against Kogi United in Lokoja with the hope of claiming a life-saving victory.
For Kogi United, it’s a season of mixed feelings. The Confluence state club were expected to be among the contending clubs jostling for promotion to the apex league this season but inconsistencies of churning out good results, especially in their home game, despite their impressive results on the road saw them baffling with uncertainties of survival.
But the Head Coach of Kogi United, Ishaya Jatau has expressed optimism that it would be a happy ending season for his side.
Jatau who described the match against Yarmalight as a must win for United noted that his players are ready dislodge their visitors.
“Well you may say it’s been a season of ups and downs for us, but there were positives for us to take from it, begins the former ASEC Mimosas’ striker.
“We’ve been playing as a unit and we support one another, but of course element of luck may not be there for you in some games, I still believe we will end the season well, starting with Yarmalight game (on Saturday).
“We will approach the match with all sense of seriousness, we’ve done the needful in the training, we will play well and hoping for the good result and luck by God’s grace, Jatau said.
Echoing his coach’s thoughts, Kogi United top striker, John Jerome said they are ready to take Yarmalight to cleaners with a resounding victory couple with impressive performance.
Jerome who missed his side’s last fixture against Kaduna United due to accumulated card suspension maintained that United would use the game to say ‘thank you’ to those that have been supporting the club through the season.
“The Kaduna match is past now, our focus is how to beat Yarmalight, they are a good side with young players just like us, but we are ready to show them how good we are and again prove to them what happened in Gombe wasn’t a fluke (Kogi United forced Yarmalight to a goalies draw).
“We are sure of a win, and we are already planning to use the victory to appreciate our supporters, fans and those that keep faith in us, especially the government and the management, this season wasn’t that good for us but we are sure next season will be better, he said.
Kogi United will complete the close door games’ punishment this Saturday against FC Yarmalight which means their cheering supporters won’t have the chance to watch them play their last hime game of the season, but United’ Supporters Club chairman, Kanin Balla said they would be their 12 man on the field in spirit.
The match is slated for 4pm at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
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