By Sedara Philip
A powerful Volley from Jamilu Coker in the 22nd Minute Of the Match day 8 of Group A1 of Northern Conference of the Nigeria National League between Kogi United Fc and ABS Ilorin Fc at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja on Saturday was all Kogi United Fc needed to scoop all three points and improve their chances of avoiding the drop.
It was a tough affair between both side as the Ilorin side came with a game plan to subdue their host. The host took the game to their visitors early enough and it wasn’t long before their effort was reward from a perfected build up that saw Jamilu Coker latching on a pass from the edge of the box and wasted no time in sending a powerful shot past Nasiru Toheeb who replaced the injured Boje Abdullahi into the corner of the net.
The host were awarded a penalty in the additional minute of the first half after an ABS Fc player was adjudged to have handled the ball in his box. Pacy Striker Mustapha Ahmed stepped up but Nasiru Toheeb guessed right as he dived to his right to prevent the homeside from adding to their tally
Both side picked up from where they left off immediately hostilities resumed in the second half and the visitors made some frantic moves to level up but the homeboys kept their end tight to avoid any heartbreak..
A lot of effort was injected into the game especially towards the end of the game and either side would have been rewarded with goals but no matter how hard they tried, luck failed to smile on them until the centre referee from Kaduna brought the game to an end.
With two crunch ties away from home for Kogi United Fc ease their relegation worries with this win according to Caretaker Head Coach Chidi Oji who was elated with the win.
” It has been a difficult season so far and as it’s well known, we are battling hard to avoid another drop and thank God, we gave our all and it paid off “
” We blew away lot of scoring opportunities in the course of the game but Jamilu Coker’s superb Strike properly delivered did the magic “
” We will be away to Mighty Jet international of Jos and Hypebuzz Fc next week and the week after and hopefully something positive will come out from these two games to help us cement our Nigeria National League Status “
