The Match day one clash of Group A1 of the Northern Conference between Kogi United Fc and League Newcomers Hypebuzz Fc of Abuja at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja ended One goal apiece.
Technical Adviser of Kogi United Coach Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi kept faith with the same starting line up that conquered the Club’s Junior Team last week in the State Federation Cup.
Mustapha Ahmed and Tijani Umar were gifted clear opportunities in the early minutes of the game but all their effort at trying to register their names on the scorers sheet proved abotive.The relatively youthful Hypebuzz Fc defence stood firm to ensure no damage is done.
They were not also left out in the drive into their host’s defence to score as their rampaging attackers kept the defence back line combination of Moses Kayode, Abubakar Tenimu, Abubakar Danlami and Femi Adewumi on their feet for the better part of the Opening half.
The host had Rabiu Umar in between the sticks to thank for his dexterity and quick response in coming to his side’s rescue most times. The attention of the medical team had to be called after he got injured while he was out preventing Oscar Kenechi from getting access to his goal area.
Oscar Kenechi will also hit Mustapha Ahmed in the face in the 18th minute which led to the temporary stoppage of proceedings even though the referee refused to penalized him.
All efforts by both side to raise the bar for their teams failed to yield anything meaningful especially towards the end of the game despite availability of chances that came the way of both teams.
Defender Moses Kayode was stretched out in the 41st Minute after he sustained a terrible injury in the cause of trying to prevent the opponents from scoring. Coach Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi quickly drafted Tunde Oladapo in to provide cover and he didn’t disappoint.
The second half saw both teams pushing upfront piling more pressure on their defence line. The visitors had some appreciable percentage of possession and chances in the early minutes of the second half.Yusuf Tijani powered home a shot that would have caused an upset but Rabiu Umar who has been vigilant all afternoon was at his end waiting patiently.
The visitors raced into the lead in the 61st minute from the penalty spot after the centre referee adjudged goal bound Oscar Kenechi to have been fouled in the host’s 18 yard. He quickly pointed to the spot. George Wilfred stepped up and scored.
The visitors then started delaying proceedings by feigning injury intermittently just to waste time but the Centre Referee from Kwara got it and handed Balemo Clovis a yellow Card.
The Confluence Stadium erupted with jubilation in the 79th minute after Hassan Bawa headed into net Haruna Isah’s corner kick bringing both sides levelled.Deapite the quick introduction of Saka Adinoyi and Umoru Omajagwu to replace Femi Adewumi and Mustapha Ahmed, scores remained 1-1until the game ended.
POST MATCH REACTION
Technical Adviser of Kogi United Coach Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi had this to say after the game:
” Starting the league with a draw at home is not too healthy at all but we believes that if a team can come here and pick a point, it means we can do same elsewhere and there’s hope that the second tier league is on the verge of improvement especially officiating ”
” The back to back relegation of the club in the previous years has caused discontentment resentment and tension which is very much with the fans but we are poised to change that perception and build confidence going further ”
” We have another mouth watering encounter against Mighty Jets Fc of Jos on Sunday and we hope to make it up to our teeming supporters and fans by scooping all three points at stake “
