One of the picks of Nigeria National League, NNL Week 12 fixtures will be the age-long rivalry encounter between Kaduna United and Kogi United slated for Kaduna today.
Previous encounters between both sides have always been explosives with wonderful display of football and interesting results.
Both sides have had enough time to prepare for this game with the league gone on break for a month.
Kaduna United will attempt to use the game to attract expected attention from the government for support and encouragement while Kogi United on the other hand would use the match to show appreciation to state government who has shown total support for the state owned clubs (including confluence queens) since its come on board.
The match will also be an emotional one for some officials and players of both sides with affections or background.
For Kaduna United, the likes of defender Bello Ikeleji and striker Thomas Acheneje who hails from Kogi would put aside their affinity of where they come from and focus on business and get the victory for one of the traditional clubs in the country managed by former Olympic medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro.
On the part of Kogi United, total victory or a draw would mean a lot for the chairman of the club, Abdul Sule whose Kaduna is his second home.
The former Super Eagles player rose to stardom from Kaduna while plying hos trade for NUB FC before moving to Stationery Stores.
Not only Sule who is craving for good result for the Confluence club in today's game but the likes of Head Coach, Ishaya Jatau, his brother Musa Jatau who are from Kaduna as well as other players who were brought up in the 'Centre of Learning' state.
Revenge will also be on the mind of Kaduna United having suffered 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in Lokoja with Nelson Okwa and John Jerome scoring both goals.
Football enthusiasts, stadium and the weather will not be strange to Kogi United having had experience of how it look like this season when they take on Wikki Tourists in the Round of 32 of Federation Cup (United lost 1-2 to Wikki)
Meanwhile, captain of Kogi United, Abiodun Afolabi has said his team mates would approach the game with all seriousness as they hope to end the season on a sound note.
The United right-back noted they are prepared for any intimidation or hostilities from their hosts but would scrape out the meaningful result, just as he called for continued support from the club's well wishers.
"We are aware of how its used to be to play against Kaduna United here and we are ready to face any challenges to get what we need, we understand how they (Kaduna United) play from our first leg game in Lokoja and we've got bit of understanding with the pitch, these we will put together and work on, couple with the support and prayers of those who love and believe in us, we will come out good, he said.
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