Three (3) goals from pacy Striker Mustapha Ahmed Eneji, One from Nuhu Daniel and an end of action Spot Kick by enterprising Left footer Salisu Tanko was all Kogi United Fc needed on Sunday to overcome their Junior side and be crowned Champions of the Kogi State Federation Cup 2023.
The Nigeria National League Campaigners didn’t leave any stone unturned in their quest to ensure that they retain the trophy they won last year as they immediately took the game to their B team who also showed their desire and resolve to cause an upset.
Kogi United Fc didn’t wait long before their effort to ground their feeder team was rewarded through Mustapha Ahmed who saw an opening from a distance and wasted no time in hitting a powerful volley past Idris Abdullahi in goal for Kogi United Feeders in the 9 minute.
Prior to that strike from the pacy Striker, strike partner Tijani Umar seems to be the most luckiest of the duo as immediately the referee signal the commencement of hostilities,he came close to scoring twice but found stiff resistance in Idris Abdullahi who stood firm in between the sticks to deny him.
The Feeder boys also came out smoking, occasionally pushing their Senior team back into their danger area. Bako Dantala was gifted an opportunity through an aerial ball,he rose high and headed at goal but his effort went few inches above the woodwork. Okpanachi Ugbede who operated on the right full back for Junior Team was consistently at alert preventing Kogi United Fc onslaught in the better part of the game.
The second goal of the afternoon would later come from Mustapha Ahmed who was spotted by Abubakar Danlami after Beating two markers to move deep into the opponents area. Mustapha slot past Idris Abdullahi for his sides second and a brace for himself. Kogi United remained in front at the break despite Feeders last minute aggressive push to score.
Kogi Feeders would have reduced the deficit on resumption of hostilities when Adamu Inuwa was gifted a precise pass and just when his colleagues thought he has sent it in past Rabiu Umar,he blew away the opportunity to the disappointment of their teeming supporters.
Kogi Feeders finally reduced the deficit through Kasim Usman who benefited from a pass and lack of defensive dexterity in the Kogi United defence to score from close range.
Kogi United responded almost immediately through Nuhu Daniel who made it three with a brilliant finishing. Mustapha Ahmed completed his hat trick to put the game beyond the Junior Team with a powerful shot from a distance that remain a mystery to Idris Abdullahi.
Nigeria Professional Football League experienced Referee, Shamsudeen Ekun awarded a controversial penalty to Kogi United Feeders and Bako Dantala stepped up and sent Rabiu Umar the wrong way to give his side some glimpse of hope.
Technical Adviser of Kogi United Coach Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi pulled the trio of Mustapha Ahmed, Nuhu Daniel and Haruna Isah out for Tanko Salisu, Hassan Bawa and Ibrahim Isah.Their introduction paid off as Salisu Tanko had a field day running down his opponents on the flank.He also came close to scoring from a Free kick after he was fouled on the edge of the box.
Kogi United Fc were rewarded with a penalty 17 minutes from time after a Feeders player handled the ball inside his 18 yard box. Salisu Tanko converted to put the game beyond the reach of the Feeder boys.
Saka Adinoyi replaced Femi Adewumi while Umoru Omajagwu also got some couple of minutes under his belt after coming in for midfield maestro Tijani Umar.No heartbreak for Kogi United Fc as they held on their lead till the end.
Technical Adviser of Kogi United Fc Coach Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi said though it’s a good thing to be crowned Champions of the state version of the oldest competition but his team’s focus is on the forthcoming Nigeria National League Season which gets underway on 22nd March against Hypebuzz Fc of Abuja at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja.
” We give God praise for this feat achieved. The boys also played very well and according to my instructions.The Federation Cup over,we are shifting attention now on the League Opener here on Wednesday and hopefully what the boys showed here this evening will be replicated against our opponents on Wednesday ”
Kogi United Fc will hit the ground running in the 2022/2023 Nigeria National League Season on Wednesday 22nd March 2023.
