NNL: Jigawa Stars Pip Spirited Kogi United

Rahaqu Adamu’s 55th minute scrambled effort was all Jigawa Golden Stars needed to beat a highly spirited Kogi United in the Week Six encounter of the Nigeria National League, NNL.

The grueling encounter that was played at the bumpy Hadejia Stadium saw Kogi United display an improved performance to force the first stanza end without a goal for both sides.

The resumption saw frustrating calls from match officials which was aimed at frustrating the Confluence state club from initiate any attack against their hosts.

The threats, intimidation and bathing the match officials with pure water may have played a part as the second half witnessed a different handling of the game from match officials.
 
That actually paid off for Jigawa Golden Stars within 10 minutes of restart as they capitalized on Centre Referee, Mansur Shuaibu from Katsina’s wrong call to set up an attack that resulted into a goal scored by Adamu..

Kogi United striker, Blee Zadee who was a thorn in the flesh of Jigawa defense was denied a chance to level the score when laid by Chindo Babangida from right side of attack, his last kick to put the ball in the net was caught offside.

Destiny Ashadi combined well with Yekini Abdulkareem with another attack for the Wada Boys, but the latter’s shot was saved by Jigawa’s keeper, Emma James.

All efforts for the Lokoja based side to take the game to their opponents and struggle for an equalizer were punctured by Referee Mansur who was supported by his assistant Adamu Ibrahim as they pick all Kogi United’s moves as offside.

Head Coach of Kogi United, Yomi Elijah who expressed displeasure with the officiating said he was proud of his boys’ fighting spirit throughout the game, adding that the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow as he claimed his side deserved at least a draw from the game.

His counterpart from Jigawa Golden Stars, El-Shama Yunus admitted that the Dutse side were lucky with a victory as they faced a tough side in Kogi United.

Kogi United will wrap up their first round outing with another trip to Kaduna United next Saturday.