NNL: Kogi United edge Jigawa Golden Stars

A spectacular strike from Wilson Tony saw Kogi United staged a remarkable comeback 2-1 victory over Jigawa Golden Stars in the Matchday 4 of the Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL on Saturday.

Tony's sublime free kick completed a hard fought turnaround for Coach Tunde Abdulrahman's side in a match which saw Jigawa start impressively and take a 21st minute shocking lead through a counter attack initiated by Abba Umar which Rahaqqu Adamu calmly finished with a curling effort from edge of the box.

Tony and John Jerome had earlier missed an opportunities to give United the lead from set pieces but the tall and lanky defense line of their visitors were too hard for them to break.

Jigawa almost double their lead from another counter attack in the 31st minutes when Umar gained a height advantage against Stephen Musa but had his volley went inches off target.

All efforts by the hosts to level the scoreline proved abortive as Jigawa's rear guard were at their beck and call to thwart their moves.

The complexion of the game changed immediately after the restart when United brought in Mathew Idoko for Ismail Mayaki and it was a quick impact for the creative winger who set up a 56th minute equalizer for Micheal Bolaji who dribbled past three markers before founding the back of the net.

Kogi United grew in confidence with quick response and went all out in search of the winner as Jigawa looked to have contented with a point and fall deep into their half.

The Confluence Boys protested for a penalty in the 67th minute when Ibrahim Umar elbowed John Jerome in the box, but referee Aliyu Usman from waived their appeal for the game to continue.

Kogi United increased their strength in the attack with combative John John replacing Emma Onuh and that paid off as they won a free kick from another attack initiated by Bashir Chatto and Bolaji.

Wilson Tony reawaken what he's for known by United favorites as a dead ball specialist and curled in a free kick that beat bin-pole Jigawa keeper Emma James and gave Kogi United the deserved lead with quarter of an hour left.

A windy weather condition with bits of drop slowed down the pace of the game as both sides couldn't produced further talking moments as Kogi United deservedly claimed yet another victory.

Reacting to his side's comeback victory, Kogi United Coach, Tunde Abdulrahman commended his boys for their attitude and focus which earned him a winning start to his new assignment adding that the win was for all who believe in the team.

The former Wikki Tourists and Kwara United gaffer however promised to make the team more better and competitive in their subsequent games as United would be on road in their next two fixtures (against Kaduna United and Yobe Desert Stars) which he expressed optimism of getting good results.

"We are happy with this victory, it's for all who believes in us that we can turn it around, it wasn't easy.

We were too much in a hurry in the first half and played to their style, Jigawa players are taller than us so we told the boys to calm down and drop the ball, we made a quick changes that worked for us and you can see we got the goals and the win.

I'm optimist we will get good results in those games, that will give us a better chance to move closer to our target," he said.