Kwara United today, Sunday August 30, 2026, forced Kano Pillars to 2-2 draw in their opening fixture of the 2026/27 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, decided at the Rashidi Yekini Main-Bowl of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
The Harmony Boys found themselves two goals down in the first half before a spirited second-half comeback, inspired by substitute Alex Jerry, to earn a point.
Kano Pillars took the lead in the 13th minute through former Kwara United player, Shola Abdulraheem, who capitalised on a defensive lapse by the home side.
Kwara United goalkeeper Ouattara Khalifa had punched the ball away, but the Harmony Boys failed to clear their lines, allowing Abdulraheem to react quickest and fire the ball into the net.
The hosts immediately went in search of an equaliser, with Joseph Gideon coming close shortly after the restart, only for his effort to go narrowly wide.
Against the run of play, Kano Pillars doubled their advantage in the 30th minute through veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali, whose thunderous effort rattled the net beyond the reach of Ouattara, sending the visiting supporters into celebration.
Kwara United went into the break two goals down.
The Harmony Boys returned for the second half with renewed determination, and their pressure soon paid off when substitute Alex Jerry, who replaced Sani Mohammed, made an immediate impact by scoring to reduce the deficit.
The goal lifted the home side, who began to dictate the tempo as Coach Ashifat Sulyman made further tactical changes.
Kwara United continued to dominate proceedings and created several opportunities as the home fans, who turned out in large numbers, urged the team forward.
Their persistence eventually paid off deep into stoppage time when Jerry completed his brace with a superb equaliser to rescue a point for the Harmony Boys.
Speaking after the game, Kwara United Head Coach, Ashifat Sulyman, acknowledged that Kano Pillars made better use of their opportunities while expressing disappointment over his team’s failure to convert their own chances.
“We failed to take our chances and this haunted us. Kano Pillars utilised the chances that came their way. We will make up for this in our subsequent games,” Sulyman said.
Kwara United will next face Plateau United in Jos next weekend in Matchday 2 of the NPFL.
Meanwhile, Jerry Alex was named the Cyteck Man of the Match following his outstanding performance in the Harmony Boys’ dramatic 2-2 draw against Kano Pillars in their opening fixture of the 2026/27 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season on Sunday.
Alex, who came on as a substitute for Sani Mohammed in the second half, inspired Kwara United’s comeback after the hosts had fallen two goals behind in the first half. He scored shortly after his introduction to reduce the deficit before completing his brace deep into stoppage time to rescue a valuable point for the Ilorin-based side.
The Cyteck Man of the Match award was presented to Alex by Jimoh Bashir, a veteran sports journalist, former Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State chapter, and former Media Officer of Kwara United.
Speaking to journalists after the game, an elated Alex expressed his delight at receiving the award, while acknowledging the contribution of his teammates and the confidence reposed in him by the coaching staff.
“I am excited and happy to have won the award. I thank the coach for believing in me. I dedicate this award to the entire team because we fought together to get the result,” Alex said.
The Cyteck Man of the Match award is a longstanding gesture championed by the Chief Executive Officer of Cyteck Engineering Limited, Engr. Olaide Ahmed, as part of efforts to motivate players and encourage outstanding performances on the pitch.
