Kwara United Football Club struggled to hold Plateau United to a one-all draw in a Matchday 16 2022/2023 Abridged Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter, decided today April 30, 2023, at the Akure Township Stadium, to walk tight rope as season nears completion.
Goals from Issa Gata for Kwara United in the 22nd minute and Muhammed Umar for Plateau United in the 58th minute ensured that the two North Central clubs shared the spoils, bringing Kwara United back to 8th position ahead of Nasarawa United, which had ealier defeated Shooting Stars Sports Club by a lone goal yesterday.
Kwara United started the game against title chasing Plateau United on good note, dictating the waves, and their efforts paid of in the 22nd minute, as Issa Gata scored. Plateau United however, responded, but were denied several times by goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka.
Samad Kadiri, who saw his penalty appeal turned down after he was fouled by goalkeeper of Plateau United, Jide Fatokun and Samuel Chisom rose to the ocassion by creating scoring chances, which were never converted.
As the second half resumed, Ahmed Yakubu was introduced to replace Paul Samson in the 46th minute, Owolabi Aremu and Abubakar Garba also came in for Gata Issa and Samuel Chisom respectively, in the 60th minute, as Kwara United stepped up their bid to win the match.
Kwara United handler, Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo was booked by the Centre Referee in the 67th minute, as emotions and tension builds up gradually, with the match drawing to an end.
Omaka Anthony and Yahaya Ibrahim were also thrown in, to reace Ahmed Yakub and Abubakar Garba, but were unable to change the situation for Kwara United.
With the draw, Kwara United now have 14 points from 16 matches, with two games against Nasarawa United in Akure and Remo Stars in Ikenne remaining to end the season.
Kwara United are therefore, condemned to beat Nasarawa United in their next home match on Sunday, to retain their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) status.
Present at the Akure Township Stadium to drum support for Kwara United are the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, Administrator of Kwara Football Academy, Mallam Bako Ibrahim, Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, Director of Football, ABS FC, High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, the CEO, Cyteck Engineering Construction and Technology Limited, Engineer Olaide Ahmed and other football stakeholders in the state.
RESILTS
NPFL MATCHDAY 16
Nasarawa United 1-0 Shooting Stars
Abia Warriors 3-0 Dakkada FC
Bayelsa United 2-1 Sunshine Stars
El Kanemi Warriors 0-1 Enyimba FC
Rangers Int’l 3-0 Wikki Tourists
Gombe United 0-0 Bendel Insurance
Kwara United 1-1 Plateau United
Lobi Stars 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Remo Stars 1-0 Akwa United
POSTPONED:
Rivers United Vs Doma United
