By Wale Mustapha.
Kogi United came from a goal down to salvage a 2-1 victory over Nigeria Air Force, NAF Rockets FC in the Matchday 8 of Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL clash in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abubakar Danlami deflected a Bulus Benjamin’s rebounded effort in the 19th minute.
John Jerome leveled the scoreline eight minutes into restart and again was the provider of the winning goal as his 87th minute cross was tapped home by Daniel Frimpong.
The result has put United on top of the Group A2 and in good stead for promotion to the top flight division.
The boys of Coach Tunde Abdulrahman lived up to their pre-match plans and they came out with all arsenals by taking the game to their hosts in the first half but fell of short ideas to break the NAF defense.
The visitors failed to react on time to clear the danger in their goal area after Flying Eagles’ goalkeeper Ogundare Detan had parried Okoye Samuel’s low drive and Benjamin’s rebound was deflected to the far corner by Danlami.
The visitors responded quickly and tried to restore parity before half time break but Austine Daniel and Frimpong couldn’t direct their efforts towards goal.
Kogi United were the better side for most part of second period as they forced their hosts to resort to long plays.
The dominance in possession earned them the equalizing goal which Jerome took his shot beyond NAF goalkeeper, Okoro Anthony after beautiful cutback pass from Daniel.
Just as the game was heading for stalemate, United took the advantage of NAF’s weakness in defense when substitute Olushola Ajala found Jerome on the run and the winger wasted no time to deliver a cross into NAF’s Penalty which Frimpong tapped home from close range to give Kogi United their first away win in four years.
An elated Jerome told Kogi United Media that the victory was a deserved one which has increased the club’s target to gain promotion to NPFL going to the World Cup break just as he promised to score more goals for the Confluence state club.
“I’m really happy with the victory, my goal and the performance of the team in general, we were determined to win this match though we didn’t start well but we were better in second half.
“We are still in good position for promotion to premier league, I believe we will come back stronger after the (World Cup) break and hope to get more goals and assist to help us achieve our target,” he said.
Jerome’s coach, Tunde Abdulrahman disclosed that he has fulfilled his promises to give the club their first away win before heading to break and was impressed with the way his boys approached the game in the second half.
“I want to commend my players for making us fulfill our target and thank God for this victory, I believe in the team and have confidence we will win.
“Yes, the first half was not too okay for us but I told them to open up more and relax to see where they (NAF) lack to operate, I’m happy with their overall performance and we promise to improve our strength and work on our shortcomings,” the former Wikki Tourists’ handler said.
Kogi United are currently topping the Group A2 log with 16 points and will draw by for the last fixtures of the group slated for weekend while NAF rockets will travel to Lafia to take on Aklosendi FC.
