NNL: Kogi United records goalless draw with Adamawa

Kogi United recorded a hard fought goalless draw against Adamawa United in the Matchday 10 of Nigeria National League, NNL encounter in Fufore today May 20.

The scoreless encounter played at the Atiku Abubakar Stadium, Fufore was Kogi United's first point on the road in the ongoing. 

The Confluence state boys could have opened the lead inside first 10 minutes when Chatto's free kick from close range agonizingly struck the crossbar.

Kogi United gained another chance to score in the 19th minutes when Matthew Idoko chest down the ball to John John, but his effort was parried to corner by Adamawa goalkeeper Ikechukwu.

Kogi United keeper, Ogundare Detan who was heroic with his wonderful saves was called to duty in the 20 minutes as he jumped higher to intercept a cross into Kogi United box.

Felix Kenan shoots a free kick across the phase of goal in the 23rd minutes, but nobody to make a tap in for Adamawa as Detan was helpless.

Both sides exchanged possessions in the last quarter of half time but couldn't find a way through as both sides went to dressing room all square.

It was Adamawa United who started on a bright note on resumption with purposeful build ups but they were thwarted by Kogi United defenders and Detan's timely interceptions.

The boys Coach, Tunde Abdulrahman almost gained another lead in the 54th minutes when John John beat offside trap and race down the right flank, his cross was flashed wide by onrushing Idris Muye.

Detan became a thin line between Adamawa United and their goal as he was dealing with their free kicks and crosses into Kogi United box.

The visitors had what could have being their winning goal ruled offside with just three minutes to go when Kingsley Iwuji fed Eghe Osas in the middle, the creative midfielder had taken the diving keeper out before sending a cross to Idoko whose headed goal was cancelled by assistant referee even after the center referee had picked the goal.

The game was paused in the 88th minutes when a fan of Adamawa United threw an object into Kogi United's bench and the referee had to stop the game for five minutes.

After normalcy returned, Adamawa won series of set pieces around their guests' goal area but couldn't find a way through, despite playing the game with additional 11 minutes before bringing the game to an end.

Head Coach of Kogi United, Tunde Abdulrahman who was elated for his side's resilience and composure to earn the vital point noted that Kogi United would get even better just as he said it's not yet time to celebrate until they reach their targets.

“We are happy with the game, it could have been a total win for us had the assistant referee didn't cancel that goal, but overall it was a good result for us.I commend the boys for their attitude and their performance, this is a tough ground to pick point, this will give us confidence for the next games, but it isn't time to celebrate, we are not there yet, I'm sure this team will do better and get good results subsequently,” Abdulrahman added.

Technical Adviser of Adamawa United, Joshua Stephen blamed ill luck for his side's result, admitting that the Yola based club underrated their visitors. “It's painful, "we had chance to win but we were unlucky to bury our chances, we somehow didn't expect them (Kogi United) trouble like that, but it's a lesson for us, we will correct that quickly for our next games,” he said.

Kogi United will not be busy for league actions on Wednesday May 24 as Ade Babalola (their next opponent) had been expelled from the league.

Their next game comes up Friday May 26 with another away fixture to FC Abuja while Adamawa United travel to Ilorin to take on Kwara United in a midweek fixtures.

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