Kwara United Football Club were this evening forced to a one-all draw by visiting Rangers International of Enugu, at the Main-Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, in the Matchday Five of the Nigeria Professional football League (NPFL).
Samuel Chisom scored for the Harmony Boys with a bicycle kick in the 31st minute, before Ossy Martins cancelled the goal through a well timed nodding off a corner kick in the 49th minutes, to ensure Kwara United drop the first points at home this season.
Efforts by the Harmony Boys to increase the tally was thwarted by the ressilient Rangers side, as the team’s skipper, Christopher Nwaeze also missed an opportunity from the spot after Rangers defender handled the ball in the vital area, in the 65th minutes.
Two anxious moments in the closing minutes would have given the visitors all points at stake. A long range shot went off target with goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba off his line, while he proved more valuable in the match with a last gap heroic at the near poll, with just a minute to end the game.
Speaking to journalists after the match, Coach Abdullahi Biffo of Kwara United expressed hope in the ability of his side to perform better in subsequent matches, noting that Rangers are also a better side with quality players.
He said that the result is not a disappointment to his team, especially considering the numbers of matches that would still be played this season in the league.
For Coach Abdul Makaiba of Rangers, he praised both sides for their display of soccer artistry, adding that the league is young to determine the champion.
He said that his side were lucky to cancel the goal in the early part of the second have, and also lucky not to concede with the penalty, which, according to him, may have been the determining factor, even as he praised his players for putting up a good fight towards the end of the game.
With the draw, Kwara United is now in the fifth position on the league table, with eight points and plus three goals difference. Remo Stars, courtesy of their 1-0 victory over Plateau United are still on top of the table, now with 11 points.
Kwara United will travel to Port Harcout next Sunday to play Rivers United in the NPFL matchday Six.
RESULTS
NPFL MATCHDAY 5
Tornadoes 0-0 Rivers Utd
Katsina Utd 2-1 Gombe Utd
Heartland 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Dakkada 2-1 Nasarawa Utd
Lobi stars 1-0 Akwa United
Enyimba 1-0 3SC
Sunshine stars 3-0 Kano Pillars
Kwara Utd 1-1 Rangers
MFM 1-0 Abia Warriors
Remo Stars 1-0 Plateau Utd
