Three (3) Goals in the first half from Striker Anthony Jegede, Jibril Abdulwahab and Muhammed Abdulsalam was all Kogi United FC needed to edge Confluence Stars to record their first win of the ongoing New Year Mega Lottery Nationwide League One Playoffs at the Kontagora Centre on Monday afternoon, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.
The game between the two teams from the same State lived up to it's billing as both side went for each other's jugular early in the game but it was Kogi United Fc who took advantage of chances created in the opening minutes of the game and were rewarded almost immediately when a well positioned Anthony Jegede was perfectly located with a pass from the flank which he calmly sent in for his side's first goal.
Jibril Abdulwahab added to Kogi United's tally two minutes later after benefitting from a defensive mistake from the Confluence Stars defenders.
The victory was completed and cemented in the 15th Minutes when Anthony Jegede blazed his way through the Confluence Stars backline to release a rocket which Idris Danjuma spilled unto the path of Midfield Maestro Haruna Isah who returned another shot at Danjuma who Spilled it out again towards a well positioned Muhammed Abdulsalam who fired in the third attempt that went in to make it 3.
The second half was relatively peacefully except for occasional attempt and flashes by Confluence Stars who tried every trick to reduced the deficit but to no avail. No matter how hard they tried, they kept meeting stiff resistance from the trio of Captain, Moses Kayode, Halidu Adamu and Isaac Mbom who stood gallantly behind.
The introduction of Salihu Abdullahi Alfa and Desmond Okafor added rigidity to Kogi United defence and they kept at bay all Confluence Stars entreaties till the end of the game
Technical Adviser of Kogi United FC - Chidi Oji after the clash said the task of returning to the Nigeria National League just begun and they are taking every game one after the other with all the serious it deserves.
" One game down, three more to go. We are taking the games one after the other with caution and utmost seriousness because we are here for serious business just as the other teams too are. The boys played well today and hopefully we will take this victory and fighting spirit into the next game against Oyah Sports on Wednesday and God helping us, we will Come out with the maximum points"
In the other Match played after the Confluence Stars and Kogi United Fc game, Oyah Sports shook off their disappointing defeat to Niger Tornadoes Feeders on Matchday One to defeat JSC Fc also of Suleja to remain in contention for the only qualification slot from the Kontagora Centre.
Kogi United Fc will next trade tackles with Oyah Sports Fc of Suleja on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, a match the Confluence State team need to win to maintain a comfortable and commanding pole position at the Kontagora Centre.
-Kogi United FC Media