Kwara United put life into their quest of keeping their status in the NPFL for another season with a 2-1 defeat of Yobe Desert Stars at the Kwara State Sports Stadium, Ilorin on Sunday.
It was a match of many wild tackles that had an edge about it such that it threatened in bits to boil over. But referee Promise Amadi conducted proceedings with the needed calmness and authority to ensure it was Kwara United’s 2-1 win over Yobe Desert Stars that will grab the headlines.
Segun Alebiosu’s smart shot beat Yobe Stars keeper, Paul Godwin into the far corner in the 25th minute for the home team to go ahead, deservedly.
But against the run of play, Yobe levelled matters when Chinedu Ohanachom reacted quickest in a busy box. The winner eventually came from towering centre half, Chinedu Sunday who headed in a corner on 66 minutes.
These teams had drawn a feisty encounter last week in Damaturu and Kwara United were especially keen on building on that result with a win at home, something their fans had not often witnessed this season.
They started well as a result. Issa Magaji booted high in the fourth minute from a free kick. His miss was followed three minutes later by Stephen Alfred failing to get a clean strike on the ball when marginally clear.
In the 17th minute, Magaji did better by hitting target on a second chance with a volley on the turn that required Godwin sprawling to grab it a second time.
The first half ended 1-1, though United would argue they more than shaded it.
The second half was a lot more competitive, but it, and ultimately the match, was won by Kwara United, thanks to Sunday’s header.
MATCH STATS
KWARA UNITED 2-1 YOBE DESERT STARS
SHOTS ON TARGET: 5-3
SHOTS OFF: 7-4
CORNERS: 6-2
FOULS: 10-16
YELLOW: 0-2
RED: 0-0
Culled from NPFL
