By Wale Mustapha.
A goal in each halves from Salisu Tanko and Sunday Stephen was enough for Kogi United to best Road Safety, FRSC FC with a 2-0 win and secured top spot in the Group A2 of the Nigeria National League, NNL.
The Matchday Three duel decided on Saturday at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja was top of the table clash between both sides with FRSC on top of the group on goal difference going into the fixture.
Kogi United showed class why they deserved go top as they took the lead inside 10 minute of the match.
Daniel Frimpong was upended close to FRSC’s goal and Tanko stepped forward to curled in the resulting set piece past goalkeeper Emmanuel Babatunde.
Kogi United could have increased the goal tally but Anthony Jegede and Frimpong were denied their goal bound efforts by incredible saves of Babatunde.
The Ghanaian import, Frimpong had another of his chance hit the side of the net after beating the offside trap collecting a pass from from Olushola Ajala.
FRSC’s Ayamkyegh Gary ghosted past two United defenders and could have taken aim at Salisu Ogbe in goal but delayed to shoot till Adewumi Femi arrived on time to cleared to safety.
Frimpong’s half volley attempt from edge of the box went inches from target as both sides headed into dressing rooms for half time break.
Resumption saw FRSC throwing frays at their hosts and could have gotten an equalizer but Ogbe was well positioned to pick Suleiman Nura’s header from Gary’s delivery.
United regained control soon after and could have had more balls in the visitors’ net but Idris Muye and Tanko forced Babatunde to another good saves.
Coach Tunde Abdulrahman made two quick changes as the match head into the closing stages with John Jerome and Sunday Stephen replacing Tanko and Jegede.
Both substitutes would then combined well to secure Kogi United’s full points with the second goal in the added time.
Jerome had beaten his marker before racing down the right flank and delivered a cross which Stephen could only tapped in beyond the reach of Babatunde’s stretch arms.
Speaking to Kogi United Media after the match, Head Coach of the Confluence State club, Tunde Abdulrahman commended his players for the deserved victory which he said was secured due to their improved performance.
He said said the game plans worked for the hosts as the substitutes sealed the match’s full points adding that the team would improve as league progresses.
“I’m happy with the my players played today and I think they have really improved so I commend them for their performance,” he begin.
“We struggled at some points and we were not playing as we wanted but I think the substitutions we made were in order and really helped us to get the second goal, both of them (Jerome and Stephen) teamed up to bring the goal, we will continue to work on our deficiencies and improve on our strengths as we play more games,” Abdulrahman said.
The former coach of Wikki Tourists expressed confidence that Kogi United would go into their next game against Kada Stars in Kaduna with hope to pick the full match points.
“Kaduna is like my home and I know the terrain, I’m sure we will come back home with something from there.”
His counterpart from FRSC, Akinade Onigbinde said that his side lost to a better side as United make the game difficult for them just a she rued the few chances Road Safety failed to convert.
“I think it’s good match, good game Kogi United deserved the victory as they were better side, they caged us well especially in the second half making it difficult for us to play, I’m not also happy because we failed to take our chances but I’ve learned one or two lessons here which I believe will help is next games,” Onigbinde said.
Kogi United with seven points from three games will next play Kada Stars in Kaduna next week while will be hosting Aklosendi FC.
