Head Coach of Kogi United, Tunde Abdulrahman has expressed delight with his side’s goalless draw against Nasarawa United in their 2018 Aiteo Cup group stage clash in Aba on Monday.
Kogi United who are grouped with defending champions Akwa United, Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa could have secured the full match points but Olushola Ajala missed a 72nd minutes penalty after John Jerome was upended in the by Nasarawa’s Emmanuel Makama.
Abdulrahman said his team were not lucky to sealed the game considering the chances created adding that fatigue also affected the confluence boys having arrived Aba with just few hours to the match.
The former Kwara United’s coach however expressed confidence in his team’s chances of qualifying from the group.
“I’m happy with the result, and the boys really played to instruction, I think we gave Nasarawa a good fight.
“We were not just lucky as gods of soccer wasn’t on our side today, we could have score two to three goals today.
“We couldn’t let the way we came into the match affected us because I told the boys that if we can get this far and set a quarterfinal target this is the time and I like their fighting spirit which really give us hope going forward.
“I think we stand a chance (to progress) you know we are the underdog of the group, so we are not under pressure, we know Akwa United are a very tactical side, they play good football and Wikki are a very strong side, but we will take each game as they come,” he said.
Kogi United’s next game will come up on Wednesday against cup champions Akwa United before rounding up against Wikki Tourists on Friday.
