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By Wale Mustapha.
Thomas Acheneje’s late goal from the spot was not enough as Kogi United ended their four match unbeaten run with a 2-1 defeat to FC Taraba in a rescheduled Matchday 14 of the Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL played in Jalingo on Thursday.
The match played at the Jolly Nyame Stadium on Thursday morning could not take place the previous day due to heavy down pour.
And it was early exchange of attacks in the opening half an hour as both sides went close to opening the score sheet.
But it was FC Taraba who scored first in the 34th minutes from their captain Sale Kamil head in from close range after Kogi United defenders failed to react from a corner kick.
The Confluence state boys reacted quickly to level up but Musa Jatau was not lucky to head home Acheneje’s cross a minute later, and Eghe Osas shot wide a rebound effort after Kout Martial cleared a corner to his path in the 39th minutes.
With a minute to end the first half, Ibe skied another good chance for Taraba that could have doubled their lead.
Kogi United could not create much of meaningful attacks in the opening stages of second half as they were barricaded by a near perfect Taraba defense.
The hosts could have increased the tally on different occasions from counter but Danlami Abubakar and Thomas Acheneje kept United in the game with their timely clearances.
Home favorite Abel Bobby came on to make his debut for United against his former side replacing Anthony Jegede, and the attacker made quick impact as his well timed cross almost headed in by Musa Jatau.
The Lokoja based side gained more strength to attack when Beach Eagles’ defender Victor Tale replaced injured Adegbayo Ayuba with 12 minutes to end the game and he threatened Taraba’s goal with his set pieces which was parried wide by the hosts’ keeper.
Just when Kogi United were gaining total control of the match and looked positive to get an equalizer, FC Taraba doubled their lead in the 81st minutes.
It was a brilliant effort from Usman Yusuf who had already seen Joseph Jatau off his goal line and decided to take aim which beat the United’s keeper from long range.
The visitors kept their cool and continued pushing but they cloud only get what was their consolation for their efforts at the dead.
Bobby raced down the left side of Taraba’s defense and sent in a threatening cross that was poorly cleared by Manushi Daniel, Muye was about to take a rebound when he was tripped by Sale Kamil in the box.
Thomas Acheneje stepped forward and converted the resultant spot kick for United, and another push from them was rescued by Taraba keeper.
Assistant Coach of Kogi United, Musa Abubakar who was disappointed with his boys’ performance said the result was unacceptable as it was not what they bargained.
Coach Abubakar however disclosed that United would head home to quickly correct the mistakes ahead of their next game in Lokoja.
“You wouldn’t expect me to accept this result, it’s far from what we expected but we have ourselves to blame for it,” Abubakar told Kogi United’s official website,www.kogiunitedfc.com
“Result like this will happen to you when you failed to take your chances, when you don’t react quickly to situation and switch off during the match.
“But it’s over here, we need to quickly let go of this, no time to cry over spilled bean, we would have to correct those mistakes as soon as possible and get back on track,” he said.
Kogi United will next host FC Abuja at home in their fixture while FC Taraba will be guest to Kaduna United.
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