“I give God the glory and also thank the players” the words of the Technical Adviser Kogi United Football Club, Chidi Orji after the center referee signal the end of proceedings as his side qualified to the quarterfinal of the ongoing 2022 Aieto/Federation Cup round of 16 fixture by defeating Akwa United FC 2-1 at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus Stadium.
Having struggled all through current season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and also on the verge of been relegated to the third tier of nigerian league, Kogi United knocked out Kanta United in Minna (5-4) on penalties after both sides ended regulation time at 2-2.
While attacking midfielder, Samuel Amadi’s hatrick helped 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League champion, Akwa United thrashed Remo Stars FC on Wednesday to qualify to this stage of the competition.
The boys from Kogi drew the curtain raiser on the 2nd minute of play, when Akwa United’s goalkeeper misjudged the flight of the ball from an Haruna Jamiu’s cross for an unrushing attacker, John Jerome to stab into the right hand corner of the net. Despite every efforts by Akwa United to cancel the deficit, the amateur side held onto their slim lead till end of the first 45 minutes.
The second stanza exploded into life immediately on resumption, with the Uyo based side asking all the questions while the Kogi United sat deep, absorbing all the pressures and occasionally go on a counter attack.
Skipper, Ubong John levelled the scoreline for “the promise keeper” in the 67th minute from a penalty kick when the centre referee signalled handball by Kogi United’s defender, Nuru Nasir for deliberately stopping the ball with his hands inside the 18 yard box.
As the encounter gradually gets to regulation time and with penalties most likely to determine which team wins, Substitute AbdulWahab Jubrin struck on the dine minute for Kogi United from an excellent counter attack to secure their passage into the next round for the first time in the history of the competition.
Speaking to newsmen in his post match analysis, Technical Adviser, Chidi Orji attributed the victory to God and the handwork of the players, hinting that the determination to get to the next round is the driving force.
