NNL Playoff: Our best wasn't enough - Folley

 

Head Coach of Kogi United has expressed displeasure with the way his side approached their Nigeria National League, NNL Relegation Playoff where they lost 2-0 to FRSC FC on Wednesday in Abuja. 

The encounter played at the Aguinyi Ironsi Cantonment football pitch was the last life lines for clubs to beat the drop to the Nationwide League One, NLO division from the second tier status. 

Two second half goals from the Safety players rendered United to another disappointing season. 

Ojekunle who told newsmen after the game in Abuja picked much of positives from the performance of his players but believed they could have done more. 

"I must be frank with you, I'm not happy with how it ended, we should have done better after playing so well for most part of the match, we tried our best to control the game but I think its not enough. 

"I don't want to talk much on some calls from match officials, but I still believe we could have played better, the condition of sticking with old players to prosecute this playoff didn't favor us as well but no time for excuses," he said.

Asked what is next for Kogi United as regards their status and if he will stay with the team playing the NLO, Ojekunle said he's a professional coach that respects contract and agreement adding that Kogi United is too good to play in the amateur division. 

"I won't want to talk about where we will play next season but you and know this club is well structured than to be playing in the lower league, with due respect to NLO and the clubs there. 

"I'm staying with the team in whatever league we are playing, I've signed a contract with them and as a professional coach I will respect that."

NNL Relegation Playoff: Opportunity for Kogi United to get back into reckoning - Folabi Ojekunle

As the Nigeria National League, NNL Relegation Playoff gets underway on Tuesday 11th January 2022 in the nation's capital, Avuja, Technical Adviser of Kogi United football Club of Lokoja Folabi Ojekunle has described the tourney as an opportunity for his side to bounce back into reckoning and retains it's NNL Status. 

Speaking to Kogi United Media ahead of the Play-off, the former Udala fc gaffer said it's absolutely unfortunate that a team like Kogi United with such arrays of quality and hardworking players found itself in relegation battle at the end of the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League Season despite picking maximum points away from home on two occasions.

The experienced tactician said the management of the club understands the importance of the Playoff and as such have put all measures in place to ensure that the team does not go down the murky waters of relegation.

"Its a good thing that the Nigeria National League authority have decided to stage the Playoff to give teams the opportunity to return back to the second tier League after some abysmal performances last season. This is an opportunity for us to bounce back from the doldrums and we are going to make good use of this advantage and opportunity"

On the quality and depth of the team, Coach Folabi said "We still have good players in the team who can withstand any opposition and eventuality anytime anyday and we have worked on them thoroughly since taking over at the club few months ago and hopefully they will deliver when we meet Road Safety football Club of Abuja on Wednesday to decide who remains in the NNL"

It will be recalled that following some strings of poor performances by the Confluence State Club last season, the team was relegated from the Nigeria National League after finishing second to the last in group A1 of the Northern Conference.

But while the Club is still ruing over its drop from the NNL, the Nigeria National League body at their Annual General Meeting in Benin city the Edo State capital on 13th December 2021 resolved that the eight (8) relegated teams from the Southern and Northern Conference respectively should meet in Abuja and play themselves to determine which team goes down or remains in the Nigeria National League for the 2021/2022 Season. 

Kogi United fc will take on Road Safety fc of Abuja on Wednesday 12th January 2022 at the Aguiyi Ironsi barracks football pitch. 

KUFC MEDIA

10TH JANUARY 2022

I will work with key stakeholders to achieve NPFL goal - Coach Folley

 

By Bishop Aturu 

The newly appointed Technical Adviser of Kogi United Football Club, Coach Folabi Ojekunle has expressed his resolve to work will all critical stakeholders in the state to ensure unity of purpose and NPFL goal.

Coach Foley as popularly called made this known to members of Kogi State Chapter of Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria, (SWAN) during a familiarization visit at the Club's training ground.

The meeting which was at the instance of the experienced tactician was part of his determination to ensure that football stakeholders in the state gets involved in the task of ensuring an improved and better Kogi United during his reign.

In his words, " I am a fulfilled man today after meeting with the Sport Writers body because they are critical stakeholders in the sports sector,  which without their prompt and concise reportage, the society and indeed the world will not get first hand and detailed information about happenings in the world of Sports".

The Tottenham-trained coach thanked the Sport Writers for honouring his invitation and promised that henceforth, familiarization meetings and interactions like this with the body will be consistent and steady during his reign.

"The partnership with you guys is absolutely necessary because the mandate given to me by the Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello at my unveiling is to secure promotion for Kogi United to the Nigeria Professional Football League at the end of the forthcoming  NNL season and there is no way this can be achieved without the contributions,input and support of the major stakeholders which SWAN is also an integral part of"

Coach folabi said he had an extensive and fruitful discussion with the executive Governor of the state during his unveiling on steps and measures to be taken if the mandate to take the club to the top tier is to be achieved which the Number one citizen promised are being looked into. 

Chairman of SWAN in Kogi State Mr Bishop Aturu who spoke unbehalf of the group thanked the coach for deeming it fit to draw the body close.

He said the group as the body of Sport Writers in the state consist of individuals who are versatile and good in what they do and are ready to harmonize and partner with Kogi United in the area of  publicity and also ensure a good working relationship.

According to Mr Aturu, "we have in our rank and file practising sport  journalists who are good at what they do and as such we can harmonize our strenght to ensure a very good publicity for the club.We also look forward to more meetings and interactions like this"

"We are also looking at having a press conference with you so as to know more about your plans and programmes for the club as soon as you are successfully through with the screening exercise"

A veteran journalist who is the correspondent of the Leadership Newspaper in Kogi State and Ex-Officio of SWAN, Elder Sam Egwu applauded the tactician for the bold step taken to have a good rapport with the Association in the state saying it will also give Kogi United's activities more coverage and publicity.

The Meeting with the Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria Kogi State Chapter is one a series of Familiarizatiin meetings and interactions the former Udala fc handler has been having with football stakeholders in the state since he assume his new position as Technical Adviser of the Nigeria National League campaigners.

Coach Folabi Ojekunle has also met with the Kogi State Football Association, State Referees Council, Supporters of Kogi United fc in a bid to ensure that everybody is involved in the task of Making the Club a force to reckon with when the New Season gets underway.