The Novelty Match Between the Newdirection Team and Exsuper Eagles Players of 1994 and 1996 ended 1:1.

The Novelty Match Between the Newdirection Team of Kogi State which comprises members of the State executives, commissioners and special advisers and the ex-super eagles players of 1994 and 1996 set ended 1:1, the match was played at the confluence stadium Lokoja.

The event began with a curtain raiser between Kogi United FC and Confluence Queen FC of Lokoja. The Novelty Match saw the ex-super eagles dominating the game at the first half but all efforts made was fruitless as none could not be converted, the first half ended goalless. 

However, two minutes into the second half of the game, a player of the Newdirection Team was brought down in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty in favour of the Newdirection Team.

Captain of the Newdirection Team, Governor Yahaya Bello who took the kick could not convert it due to infringement by the super eagles goal keeper, the referee after watching the VAR clips ordered for a retake which was eventually converted puts the Newdirection Team ahead. The Governor was later substituted by the deputy Edward Onoja few minutes later.

The ex-super eagles later score a goal but was cancelled by the referee for offside. Meanwhile, towards the end of the match, a sensational move by Julius Agahowa after driblling three defenders yielded positive results as he scored to equalising goal. The match ended 1:1.

The officiating crew are veterans referees in the Nigeria football circle led by the Kogi State council chairman of the Nigeria football referees association Alhaji Ibrahim Adams as referee of the match, Elder E.D Olokor a former national financial secretary of the association,  FIFA Abel Baba an international FIFA badge retired referee of Kogi State as assistant referees one and two respectively. The reserve referee is the immediate past council chairman of the association and a premier league referees assessor in person of Mr. S.S Bello.

In his address at the end of the Novelty Match, the Governor appreciated the ex-super eagles players and thanked God almighty for making the event a success in that the event signifies that Kogites and indeed Nigerians are lovers of football, adding that the act is a demonstration that Nigeria is a one United Nation not minding the socio ethnic groups, language, religious beliefs as well as political affiliations.

The Governor therefore called on youths in the country to chant unity by emphasising on the things that binds us together rather than those that divides us as a nation. He firther noted that the youth who are leaders of tomorrow are now ready to take the mantle of leadership. The event however came to an end with the national anthem.