Kogi United on Saturday were forced to a goaless draw by stubborn Jigawa Golden Stars in the Nigeria National League, NNL Week 8 duel played in Lokoja.
It was almost a total dominance performance for Kogi United as they created countless scoring opportunities against Jigawa who proved resolute in defense for much time in the game.
Babangida could have given United the lead in just two minutes into the game when he headed wide John Jerome’s cross. Jigawa’s goalkeeper Friday Edache jumped higher to deny United another scoring chance a minute later before Yusuf Yahaya was gifted to put Jigawa in front two minute afterward when he won a contest against Destiny and had his rasping shot gathered by Joseph Jatau in goal for United.
There were other good chances for the Confluence Boys in the first half. Destiny had his 20 yards shot parried to corner by Edache, Ozoemena aimed a header into Jigawa’s net off Iwuji’s cross but went inch off target and John Jerome missed a spot kick for the home side with just six minutes to end the first half as he blasted over the ball after sending Edache to wrong side.
Second half was all about United, throwing all they’ve got into frays with the hope of breaking Jigawa’s defense.
Ernest Governor tried countless long throws into the Dutse based but weren’t converted. The giant defender also had a penalty appeal waived by centre referee Kana from Nasarawa as Jigawa had their shone enough in defense as they thwarted United’s last minute chance from Iwuji’s well taken free kick.
Kogi United Head Coach, Ishaya Jatau said his lost a glorious opportunity to make a meaningful impact this season as United has however dropped five points at home, haven got two on the road.
The former Premier League record top scorer noted that he would addressed the missing link in his team’s home form just as he appealed for calm from club’s supporters and fans.
“This season is full of mixed feeling for us, I can’t really explain it for now, I’m wondering why we will pick points on the road but getting to labor at home, to lose or to draw despite dominating the game, but I’m optimistic we will get it right soon, we will work hard again and leave everything to God, Jatau said.
He continue saying “Jigawa were just fortunate to draw this game, its sad we lost that penalty in the first half who knows if we had shipped that in it would have open more doors for us to score more, for Jerome, I feel for him (for his miss) and the rest of the team, we appeal for our supporters to rally round us and believe in us as we will also get it right again,” concludes Jatau.
Coach Yunus Elshama of Jigawa said his side were lucky to edge United to draw as their hosts allowed his tactics to work in Lokoja.
“Football was like this, Kogi United played well today, better than what they played in Hadeija but that football for you, sometime your tactics at home won’t work out well for you, they played to win the match but having played draw with us two weeks back, I told my boys if we cannot win this game, we better not lose it, and I thank God I’ve got a point back from our deficit,” he said.
Kogi United have garnered eight points from eight games and will travel to Kano for their next game against Shekarau Babes.
