Kogi United held Gombe United to 1-1 draw in the opening fixture of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 tournament in Aba on Sunday.
The match played at the Enyimba International stadium in Aba was part of the games to determine who picks one of the four tickets for the promotion to the top flight football in Nigeria.
Gombe United took an early lead when Joseph Onoja volleyed over Shola Sheshere with just two minutes into the game.
The Savannah Scorpions could have doubled their lead midway through the first but Usman Adamu forced Sheshere to a smart save after beating the offside trap.
Idris Muye had an opoportunity to level the scoreline for Kogi United but was quick to take aim which went off target.
Gombe United’s keeper, Olawale Adeyinka parried a dangerous cross from Tunde Oladapo to corner as the Confluence Boys tried to find an equalizer before the end of the first half but Gombe’s defense stood firm to keep them at bay.
Kogi United resumed the second half with more vigor and zeal and could have levelled up matters.
But the boys of Tunde Abdulrahman kept pushing until 62 minutes when they equalized through Ibrahim Enesi’s effort which was spilled into the net by Adeyinka.
John John who replaced Salisu Tanko almost completed the turn around for Kogi when Adeyinka spilled his thunderous free kick to corner.
Shola Sheshere punched a clearance to Yusuf Abdulazeez’s path but the winger kicked aimlessly under pressure.
Adamu Mohammed hit the side netting for Gombe soon after as the Scorpions tried to make a late sting on Kogi United.
The game became an end to end stuff in the final stages as both sides went in search of the decisive goal but went out of ideas to complete their build ups.
Kogi United will next take on Kada City in their second game on Monday while Gombe United will engage Real Stars FC same day.
