It was a nerve wrecking display of football in Lokoja in the Week 11 encounter between Kogi United and Sokoto United.
The match played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja was with high tempo from the beginning as the hosts eventually ran out with a slender 1-0 win over their visitors courtesy of Abubakar Tenimu’s 42nd penalty.
Kogi United in search of their first consecutive league victories after last weekend 2-0 win over Mighty Jets started on a good note with good attacking prowess.
Sokoto United’s goalkeeper, Muttaka Musa was called to action on numerous moments to deny Kogi United scoring chances.
Samson Pius was first to gain a good chance to put the hosts in front, but his shot was parried wide by Musa.
Okwa Nelson and John Jerome also had their efforts thwarted by the boys from Caliphates’ state.
The resultant goal that separated both sides came in the 42nd minute when Sunday Robot brought down Okwa Nelson in the six yards after the little attacker was laid on with a good pass by Micheal Bolaji.
Dependable defender, Abubakar Tenimu converted the spot kick as he calmly sent keeper Musa to wrong side.
Sokoto United responded quickly with a good run into Kogi’s defense and almost got a equalizer with just a minute to end half time.
John John started the build up on the right flank and found onrushing Kamal Ibrahim who wasted no time to sent in a cross into the box and Rabiu Sani’s goal bound header was parried to corner by keeper Detan.
The second stanza resume with low intensity as both sides couldn’t find a cutting edge.
Sokoto United stepped up their game in search of equalizer but Kogi United would got the nerve to hold on to their lead.
The visitors almost got the equalizer with 15 minutes to end the game as substitute Joshua Garba almost found Abdullahi Bego who was facing the goal, but his final shot was blocked to corner by Tenimu.
Kogi United had the chance to increase the tally and put the game to rest in the final eight minutes when Jerome beat Sokoto’s offside trap. He had Pius on the other side, giving him option to bury the ball past the keeper, but he dribbled sluggishly and allowed Musa to got the ball off his feet.
Other efforts tried by both sides couldn’t result to anything meaningful as the game ended with a 1-0 win for Kogi United.
Chairman of Kogi United, Abdul Sule said the second consecutive victory for his side has brought about relief for the Confluence State club.
He said the result was hard earned with a tough challenge from their guests but the victory has given Kogi United confidence as they prepare for their next game (against Kaduna United) in Kaduna.
“Its a relief, honestly to win our two home games, even though its tough one today but the three points is the most important,” begin Sule.
“This has given us confident to prepare for the other games, most importantly with our last home games but I’m confident we would approach the two away games with the same spirit and aim to get a good results from there, I would tell the boys to remain focused and concentrate as we want to make our fans happy till the end of the season for their great supports and patience,” he said.
Technical Adviser of Sokoto United, Abara Hamza who expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance despite the loss said Kogi United took advantage of their effort and could have scored more.
Kogi United have however garnered 15 points from 11 games and will be taking on Kaduna United next weekend in Kaduna.
