Kogi United have announced former NUB Bank and Stationery Stores’ midfielder, Ibrahim Adewuyi Shola as their new Technical Adviser for the new football season.

Coach Adewuyi who was unveiled on Wednesday at the Lugard Government House in Lokoja will be replacing Folabi Ojekunle who parted ways with the team before the end of last season.

Chairman of the football, Hon. Abdulmalik Isah Dolly while unveiling the new tactician charged him to ensure that he bring his wealth of experience to bear on the progress of the team.

Also unveiled was former goalkeeper trainer of Jigawa Golden Stars, Abdulazeez Adieza Jimoh who replaced Coach Alao Olaniyi as new goalkeeper trainer.

Coach Shola while appreciating the management of the team for believing in him promised to do his best to ensure that Kogi United gets better.

Coach Shola who has managed notable clubs in Nigeria like Confluence Queens, Kada City, Remo Stars and Malumfashi FC is taking over from Coach Chidi Orji who has being on acting capacity since the departure of Ojekunle.

The experienced tactician is not new to the Confluence State terrain as he was one time the assistant to Coach Fatai Osho in 2015 when they moved to Kogi United. He would then took up the Head Coach position of Confluence Queens in 2016 NWPL season.

Kogi United suffered second consecutive relegation to the Nationwide League One, NLO after last season’s campaign in the Nigeria National League.

By Akila Matawal

Akwa United head coach Deji Ayeni has hailed his team’s synergy after their 3-0 Aiteo Cup round of 32 win over Remo Stars in Enugu on Wednesday evening.

Samuel Amadi’s hat trick condemned Remo Stars to defeat and confirmed Akwa United’s place in the last 16, and Ayeni was quick to commend the team’s teamwork in his post match reaction.

“Every player in my team has the quality to be in the first team…When your time hasn’t come to play, it doesn’t mean you are relegated to be in the second team. I don’t believe in a second team. I believe that everybody has the opportunity to play. And inside this team, I can tell you authoritatively there are some players that have not been playing regularly in the team that came in and justified their inclusion in the team.

“The guy that scored the three goals (Samuel Amadi) is on and off in the team, and other players that I brought in too.

“So I think it’s a very good synergy of understanding of the players. When one is out, one comes in to deliver.”

Ayeni also expressed excitement over the team’s goal return that has seen the Promise Keepers score six goals in two games in the Aiteo Cup: three against Essien Ayi in the round of 64, and three against Remo Stars in the round of 32.

“You can see the quality of goals they scored today and the other day, it’s as a result of teamwork and being clinical in front of goal.”

A disappointing ninth-placed finish saw Akwa United lose out on a continental spot, but the gaffer feels there is a chance through the Aiteo Cup.

“We want to go back to continent, and we believe that having lost it in the league, we can make it up in the Aiteo Cup”.

Akwa United will face Kogi United on Sunday at the UNEC Stadium, Enugu in the round of 16.

This was contained in a Letter dated 26th July 2022 issued by the Club Chairman Honourable Abdulmalik Isah who thanked Coach Folabi Ojekunle for his services to the club and wish him well in his future endeavours.

In the meantime, Assistant Coach Chidi Oji will take charge until a Substantive Technical Adviser is appointed.He will be ably assisted by Goalkeeper Trainer Coach Alao Olaniyi

KUFC MEDIA
26th July 2022

Head Coach of Nigeria National League, NNL side, Kogi United, Folabi Ojekunle has commended his team for their impressive performance in their 2-2 draw at Kebbi United in the Matchday 11 of the NNL Group A2 encounter on Saturday.

Kogi United who were held to 1-1 draw by FRSC FC in their last fixture needed a positive response against Kebbi United to atone for the dropped points at home.

But the Confluence State boys find themselves behind in the opening seven minutes when Owolabi Aremu break the deadlock.
One of the Mid season signings, Ahmed Mustapha Eneji even the score line for Kogi United before half time.

Jubril Abdulwahab put the visitors in front within four minutes of restart when he latched on a close range effort.

Kebbi United rallied and piled pressure on their guests which earned them a penalty on the stroke of the hour and Owolabi Aremu dispatched it past goalkeeper Shola Sheshere to level the score sheet.

After series of dominant display from the hosts which forced Sheshere to series of impressive goalkeeping, the big man in goal was called to action in the 75th minute when Kebbi won another spot kick but the experience keeper guessed right to make a brilliant save which would earn Kogi United an important point on the road.

An elated Ojekunle who would have been more impressed with a victory said the result and how it was achieved would count for good as the season go on just as he promised that the boys would soon make their chances count for goals.

“Its a positive steps and good response from the last home game, its also a massive point but would have been more massive had we secure the maximum points because we came here for a win, but we will take this and build on it.

“We are creating chances and that shows that its good side we just need to get those chances converted, like I said its a team in process and I believe we’ll get more better.”

The former Udala FC tactician singled out the new imports to the team who have made Kogi United more stronger as he expected more from them to make the club more better.

He reassured fans of the team that all needed work will be done to achieve maximum points in United’s next match against Doma FC in Lokoja on Saturday.

“We are happy to make fresh inputs to fill spaces of those that left in midseaon and its good they are settling down quickly into the team, Mustapha and Savior did well today even though I was expecting more from them but they compliment their experience we have in the team which is a positive sign, Sheshere was massive as always and I commend the whole team for their yeoman performance.

“I believe this will spur us to do better and get the maximum points against Doma next week, we won’t give them any space to hide and will give it all to get the victory.

By Wale Mustapha

The dream of every creative artist is to see your craft received and appreciated by the personality he worked on.

Such was the case of Ibrahim Sanni Enesi, a Nigerian footballer who is also known for his craft in drawings.

Enesi is a striker who plays for Kogi United and is gifted in creative drawings. He has used his pencil to sketched many personalities in sports, showbiz and poootivs including Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, Alapomeji crooner, 9ice, President Mohammadu Buhari among others.

One of the best Enesi has worked on and looking forward to deliver it was that of the Executive Governor of Kogi State (his own state) His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and his wives.

Enesi has been craving to present those workings to Governor Bello in person and didn’t know how to go about it.

But fate smell on him on Wednesday 11th of May, 2022 when he was led to meet Governor Bello at Kogi State Government House by the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Pharmacist Jamiu Asuku and Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mallam Maleek Isah.

Enesi who could not contain his joy after meeting Governor Bello recount his moments with the Number One citizen of Confluence State and how he was received.

He described the meeting as a dream come through and it made his mother and other members of his family happy, hoping that the breakthrough would open more doors of opportunities for him as an artist.

“I know this is the breakthrough I have been praying for, I am happy because its a dream come through for me.

“The Governor was so happy and wowed by my drawings, he said its one of the beautiful Art works he has seen and received.

“He also spoke with my mum on phone (I made a request for that because it will make her happy and he obliged). They spoke at length. I was extremely happy and astonished by his hospitable behavior towards me.

“The Governor is a humorous, humble, kind hearted & very awesome man, at some point, I almost forgot that he is a Governor because of how we interacted.

“Finally, he ordered for them to tell Chief of Staff to prepare something for me. So am still praying and hoping for what it would be but am optimistic it will worth the wait.”

Asked if he would dump football for creative art, Enesi jokingly responded that its not impossible but he would love to push his football career to higher level before fully settling down to art.

“(Smile), I can’t rule it out o, its what I’d like to do if it can bring more pay, more for now, I want to work more on my football career to more bigger levels, then after I can retire into being a full time artist but its not impossible as times and things change quickly these days,” he said.

Head Coach of Kogi United, Folabi Ojekunle has some nice words to say about his players following their 2-2 draw against JM Liberty in the Matchday 7 of Nigeria National League, NNL in Makurdi on Saturday.

United had to come back twice to salvage a valuable point and maintained their unbeaten streak in the Most Important League in Nigeria.

Mohammed Mohammed had earlier scored for the Confluence Boys to even the score at 1-1 after Sunday James had shoot the host in front in the first half.

Viralis Moave scored from the spot to restored Liberty’s lead in the 65th minutes.

Coach Ojekunle brought in Omolabi Owolabi, Osas Egbe and Salisu Tanko among the fresh legs in the closing moments to add more strength in United’s attack.

That would pay off for the visitors as they left it late till the last minutes of the game to get a deserved equalizer when Owolabi get to the end of Isah Haruna’s corner delivery.

Ojekunle told newsmen after the game that his side were in Makurdi for the match points but would take the point as a win considering how they did it.

The former Udala FC tactician said the result was a reflection of his side’s ambition to get something meaningful in the ongoing season.

“We were in Makurdi get the maximum points, but looking at how we performed and came back twice, I’d take the draw as a maximum points.

“I want to also commend my boys for the commitment and sticking to game plan and approach even when we are trailing, we will keep on pushing and get better to keep the ambition going.”

Kogi United will be taking on Adamawa United next in Lokoja for the Matchday 8 and the Tottenham trained coach said his side will take the game as normal fixture but with renewed zeal and focus in a bid to move up on the log.

“Yes, we know they are a big side and just coming from NPFL, but will strick to our usual game plans, take every game as they come but this time, we will even give more and I urge our fans and supporters not to relent in their prayers and getting behind us,” Ojekunle said.

The Search for a first victory of the ongoing 2021/2022 Nigeria National League season for Kogi United football Club of Lokoja will have to continue after posting a 5-Star performance against Nigeria Army Side, Green Beret Football Club of Zaria on Wednesday 9th March 2022 at the Dogarawa Township Stadium along Kano expressway in Zaria,a Performance that earned the Confluence state team a deserved point.

Coach Folabi Ojekunle made few changes to the squad that played out a 2-2 draw against DMD fc last weekend in Lokoja bringing in Salisu Ogbe to start in goal ahead of regular Mudasir Nurudeen.Femi Adewumi also started ahead of Omooloyi Opeyemi while Moses Opitoke was also favoured in the starting line up.

The Boys didn’t disappoint as they took the game to their host immediately the referee signalled the commencement of hostilities with Mohammed Mohammed and Umoru Omajagwu becoming tormentors-in-chief in the Green Beret defence.Omajagwu would have open score early enough but for some quick defensive intervention while he was trying to get balance before taking a shot,he was dispossessed and thereafter, Nothing serious took place.

The host who knew the importance of getting maximum points at home also surged deep into the Kogi United half but the combine defensive prowess of Moses Kayode and Atoe Emmanuel denied them entreaties towards Salisu Ogbe who himself was in another world with fine and fantastic saves consistently.

The visitors got some appreciable percentage of chances to make the difference through frontman Mohammed Mohammed who got a delivery from Abdulwahab Jibril in the 22nd minute and would have scored but his shot was directed into corner by Odoh Kingsley.

Kogi United had Salisu Ogbe to thank for doing a fantastic job keeping the likes of Ali Jandi Sani ,Abdulganiyu Adamu and Timothy Bello at bay especially towards the end of the first half.Captain Eghe Osas also came close in the 40th minute from a freekick he got at the edge of the opponent’s box after he was pulled down violently.

The second half saw both side struggling to outwit one another with the host getting a larger chunk of possession with occasional incursion into United’s danger zone but Adewumi Femi and Salihu Abdullahi Alfa made sure Moses Kayode and Atoe Emmanuel are well fortified on the defensive flanks with Salisu Ogbe Complementing his defenders effort with fantastic saves.

Haruna Isah and Captain Eghe Osas both held the centre pack solidly with flurry of long passes upfront.
Abdulwahab Jibril would have put Kogi United ahead in the 82nd minute after he was tipped off with a good pass from behind and just needed to take a blast which he did but fails to send the ball the right direction. Mohammed Mohammed also got similar opportunity in quick succession and would have scored a screamer but his effort went few metres off the bar.

Kogi United would have been gifted a goal from Haruna Isah’s right foot in the extra added minutes from a Mohammed Mohammed ‘s pass but his shot also went above the bar.

POST MATCH REACTION

Techical Adviser of Kogi United said he is satisfied with the performance of the boys and commended them for fighting to the end

” A point away from home is not a bad one especially in a difficult and competitive league like the Nigeria National League. All we need to do now is to make sure that we keep pushing for victory in our subsequent Matches starting with this weekend’s home game against Jigawa golden stars “

” We will give our best against Jigawa to cart home all maximum points come Saturday. This draw here this evening is a booster and an energizer for my boys ahead of the weekend clash at home “

Kogi United will look to pick its first 3 points of the Season when it welcomes Northern side Jigawa Golden Star to the confluence stadium on Saturday 12th March 2022.

CAUTION

Eghe Osas (38)
Agee Nasiru (89)

UNUSED SUB

Mudasir Nurudeen,Omooloyi Opeyemi,Abdulsalam Abdulhameed

GODWIN WAMBEBE
MEDIA OFFICER
KOGI UNITED FC

9TH MARCH 2022

The Players, Management and Staff of the two state owned football Clubs, Kogi United and Confluence queens Football Clubs have congratulated the executive governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello on the occasion of his 46th birthday celebration.

The congratulatory message to the number one citizen of the state was contained in a statement from the office of the chairman of the two Clubs Honourable Abdulmalik Isah Dolly.

According to the Chairman,His Excellency, have without any doubt demonstrated exemplary leadership style with so much passionate disposition since taking over the mantle of leadership five years ago in the state.

His passion for excellence, pedigree and dint of hardwork especially the various hands of fellowship he has extended to the Youth and Sports sector and various youth empowerment and intervention programmes have given the people of the state a purposeful direction,quality governance and something to cheer about.

“As a result of his humane disposition, good governance,drive and passion for excellence and his presence that the Sport sector has enjoyed over the years,the entire management, staff and players of Kogi United and Confluence queens Football Clubs under my leadership hereby join other well meaning Nigerians to heartily endorse our youthful, amiable,humane and result oriented executive Governor on the mission to become the next president of the federal republic of Nigeria and take the country out of the woods.

He has shown that he can administer a vast and diverse nation like Nigeria through his exemplary leadership style,ability to wield divided interests together and so we are joining other well meaning Nigerians to chant the #GYB2PYB slogan come 2023.

One of the revelations of the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League, NNL season and Kogi United midfield Maestro, Haruna Isah has said his target this season is to put in his best to help his club gain promotion to the Nigeria professional football league (NPFL)

The versatile defensive midfielder made this known at the Confluence stadium Lokoja on Monday after his club’s training session in preparation for the resumption of the second round of the second tier league which went on break shortly before the Easter festivity.

Haruna said though the first round was somewhat difficult for his team as they struggled to keep their hope of reaching the super 8 alive with some hard fought matches on the road where they were able to picked vital points especially against Kebbi United and G/K Shekarau fc in Kano.

However,some poor run of results at home have put the team’s promotion quest on the line but the midfielder said all hope is not lost as they are preparing adequately for the second round.

“It has been a mixed first round for us so far but we are preparing very well ahead of the commencement of the second round and hopefully we will get our promotion drive back on track when the league resume later and we will put in our best to ensure that we qualify for the super 8 where the four to move to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will be decided” the defensive midfielder assured

Kogi United football club have garnered 11 points from 9 matches in the just concluded first round and seats in 7th position and will resume the Nigeria National League 2020/2021 second round with a fixture away against Road Safety Football club of Abuja.

At the 2021 NNL Congress in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the President of the Most Important League in Nigeria, Senator Obinna Ogba describe Mallam Abdul Sule as a blessing to football even as he has foster peace among club owners in the NNL.

Mallam Sule who is also the President of NNL club owners forum thanked the league body for the honor as he promised the forum’s continued support to promote the league.

Other recipients of the Football Icon Awards include the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, NFF General Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi, Owner of Remo Stars Sports Club, Hon. Kunle Soname among others.

The 2021 NNL is set to kickoff on January 30, 2021.