Aiteo Cup: Kogi United survive Akure City scare to progress

Ilorin, May 28, 2019

Salisu Ogbe saved three spot kicks to help Kogi United book next round ticket of 2019 Aiteo Cup after beating Akure City FC in the Round of 64 encounter on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the match was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.

The entertaining encounter saw Kogi United surrendering a two-goal lead to the youthful Akure side.

A product of the club’s youth system, Omajagu Umoru scored two first half goals for Kogi United (23rd and 41st minutes) with both assisted by John Jerome.

The boys from Akure upped their game in the second half to draw level with two quick goals through Ola Onifade and Omooloyi Opeyemi in the 53rd and 61st minutes respectively.

Adewumi Femi restored Kogi United’s lead four minutes later as he headed home from yet another assist from Jerome.

Just as the Confluence state boys thought they were coasting home to victory, Akure City won a late penalty after Abubakar Tenimu upended Idowu Tosin and Anirobi Amaechi forced the game to shootouts as he sent Ogbe to the wrong side.

Ogbe, a product of Kwara Football Academy, saved all three of Akure City’s spot kicks while Tenimu, Femi and Jerome all scored to move Kogi United to the next round of the oldest football competition in the country.

Coach Tunde Abdulrahman of Kogi United, who commended his boys for booking a passage to the next round, said his side were stretched by a youthful and determined Akure side just as he praised goalkeeper Ogbe for his heroics during the shootouts.

“I must admit that it was a difficult match, they (Akure City) really stretched us, especially in the second half when we went too deep.

” I must also commend the boys for this win.

“Ogbe has been excellent for us so far, he’s been superb with his penalty saves, we really hope he continues with his brilliance and make us proud,” he said.

Kogi United’s next opponent will be determined during the next Round of 32 draws of the competition.