Kwara United Football Club today, April 27th, 2023, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, defeated Gateway FC of Abeokuta 4-2 on penalties in one of the Round of 64 encounters of this year’s Federation Cup competition.
The match had ended one-goal apiece at regulation time, with the National League side, Gateway FC getting the first goal in the 47th minute.
The first half ended goalless, and Gateway FC came into the second half stronger and more determined, and their efforts paid off as they capitalized on a defensive laxity to get a goal in the 47th minute through Olajide Mustapha.
Samad Kadri leveled scores in the 72nd minute, as the game, which brought the best out of the two teams, dragged to the penalties.
Issa Gata and Anthony Omaka were introduced in place of Hammed Yakub and Paul Samson in the 64th minute, respectively, as Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo showed the determination to win the knock-out game. Samuel Sunday had earlier in the 46th minute, replaced Samuel Chisom.
He also brought in Garba Abubakar and Yahaya Ibrahim to replace Ayobami Junior and Sunday Samuel in that order, in the 88th minute, as the game gradually dragged to stalemate.
Samad Kadir, Kabiru Balogun, Ayodeji Bamidele, and Abiodun Adebayo converted their spot kicks to give Kwara United a 4-2 win.
Kwara United defeated Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Ilorin) Football Club in the final of the State FA Cup to secure slot one qualification in pursuance of the national glory which the team has never achieved in history.
The result is a huge boost for Kwara United Football Club ahead of their Matchday 16 NPFL game against Plateau United at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.
