Kogi United bounced back to winning moment with a 2-0 victory over Mighty Jets of Jos in the Week 10 encounter of Nigeria National League, NNL on Saturday.
John Jerome scored both goals for United in each half of a near perfect performance for the hosts.
Even though they played behind closed doors as directed by the league body as a result of reported after-match crisis during Kogi United’s last home game against Jigawa Golden Stars, United couldn’t feel the absence of their fans as they put up a huge show.
United started the game with a zeal to ‘kill’ the game early as Ashadi Destiny capitalized on a loose ball inside Jets’ box and dribbled past his marker, but keeper Rotdawe Gobum was on hand to make a one hand safe.
Garba Yushau blasted wide a half chance for Jets off a good build moments later.
Old horse, Ado Ali made a good clearance for Jets when Okwa Nelson was laid through by Pedro in 22 minutes.
But United finally got their chance right in the 25th minute when John Jerome got a good pass from Sanusi Pedro. He muscled his way into the box before sending Gobum to the wrong side.
The Confluence boys almost doubled the lead two minutes after the lead when Jerome combined well with Micheal Bolaji but the later’s target was blocked by Jacob Obinna.
Jets almost levelled the scoreline in the 31st minute when Cletus sent in a cross into United’s box, Detan was beaten in the air but Edafe couldn’t bury perfectly as Pedro cleared for United.
Detain again intercepted a free kick to deny Jets from gaining a chance to score. And its the turn of United to miss theirs as Samson Pius’ goal bound header went inch wide as first half ended with United having advantage.
The hosts started the resumption of the game the way they ended their first with good attacking threat.
Mighty Jets upped their game and threw all to United but couldn’t get anything meaningful from it.
The boys of Coach Ishaya Jatau missed two quick chances to bury the game. Jerome was gifted with a fine pass from Destiny but aimed straight to Gobum. Then it was Nelson with another chance to score for United and his intended volley fell to Gobum. The game became a box-to-box affair as both sides exchange possessions but it was United who killed the game in the added time.
Jets failed to make a good free kick into United’s box. Iko headed out for clearance, Tenimu charged forward to block a rebound but won it and raced down the left. He found Bolaji who was ahead of him and the winger wasted no time to send a low cross to Jerome’s path who smashed in to the net to increase his goal tally to four this season.
Kogi United Head Coach, Ishaya Jatau who expressed delight on his side’s victory over his former club, commended his players for the determination.
He added that the victory would restore the club’s confidence as they continue to end the season on a high note.
“I’m excited about this game, it’s a good response from the boys, I always knew we would get better soon, I thank my players for their dedication and zeal even with a bit of threat from Jets, I’m confident we would end the season well, we just need remain focus and pray for luck,” Jatau said.
His counterpart from Mighty Jets, Baldwin Bazuaye admitted that United were the better side, adding that Jets’ plan was neutralized by determined United side.
Kogi United have, however, got 12 points from 10 games and would next host Sokoto United in Lokoja.
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