*Kada City coach blames officiating for loss
Rejuvenated Kaduna United FC scored a 94th minute goal in the last minute of the match to secure a hard earned victory in their opening match in the BET9JA Nigeria National League (NNL) game against city rivals, newcomers, Kada City FC on Sunday at the Kaduna Township Stadium.
The goal came in the last minute of the game, which was the fourth minute of added time courtesy of substitute, Aliyu Continue after 90 minutes of barren draw.
The tension soaked match saw both teams make attempts, but with Kaduna United’s efforts getting more targets at goal.
Earlier in the first half, the hopes of the robust United’s fans were dashed when a goal scored was disallowed, courtesy of a flag that was up from one of the assistant referees, calling for an offside.
That was the only time the ball hit the back of the net, before Continue came to the rescue of the hosts who were playing in the presence of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports, Honourable Daniel Danauta, seated besides their Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, popularly known as Edijen.
In an interview after the match, Coach of Kaduna United FC, Ishaya Jatau said that they were optimistic of a win.
“We knew we would win because we dominated the game all through. We exhausted the other team. They utilised all their changes earlier and the change we made gave us the goal,” he said.
Speaking on their plans for their next match in Taraba, he was optimistic that they would secure the three maximum points when they play their first away match this season.
Earlier in an interview, coach of Kada City, Shola Ibrahim Adewuyi said that he was disappointed by the officiating.
“I am disappointment. This is not what we bargained for. But in football anything happens,” he said.
Speaking further, he said that a league is like a marathon, where you don’t say who wins from the beginning until the end.
He however, congratulated United on the victory.
A fan of Kaduna United, Shamsudeen Fresh who was seen celebrating the team’s victory, told newsmen that it was well deserved.
“I am happy about the team’s victory. The players played very well. Though we were expecting nothing less than three goals, we are happy we got the three points,” he said.
Fresh commended the referees for officiating well, while expressing appreciation to the spectators and fans of both teams for being matured as no violence was recorded.
