Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Sunday left it late to defeat visiting Akwa United FC of Uyo, 1-0 to move out of the relegation zone.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 31 was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
The win followed their 2-1 away victory over Gombe United on Matchday 30 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.
NAN reports that the win also moved them to the 12th position on the current NPFL log with 39 points after Matchday 31.
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They still have one outstanding home game against Rivers United of Port Harcourt.
Kwara United started well, but gradually grappled with realities as the game wears on.
They were unable to convert the numerous chances created, with the visitors stealing the show occasionally to trouble their defence, especially goalkeeper Soliu Dogo.
Kwara United made four changes within 15 minutes, with the quartet of Alao Muhammad, Issa Gata, Sadeeq Yusuf and Godwin Oshagbemi making way for Shola Abdulraheem, Abubakar Garba, Alalade Wasiu and Paul Samson as they stepped up search for a win.
Shola Abdulraheem, who scored the winning goal against Gombe United in far away Gombe, struck a free kick from the far right that was nodded in by Emmanuel Ogbole for Kwara United’s winning goal eight minute into the 10 minute of extra-time.
The team’s Chief Coach, Tunde Sanni, thanked the football fans, supporters and stakeholders for urging the team on even when they were struggling to find their rhythm.
“We appreciate our fans and supporters for keeping faith with us even when the team was searching for goal.
”Akwa United put up that spirited fight because they needed to get out of their present position on the table.
“I will want to charge the players to work harder in subsequent games because the battle is not yet over. We still have a long way to go,” he said.
NAN reports that Kwara United will travel to Gombe to face Doma United on April 27 for match day 32.
