A penalty kick awarded late in the game on Sunday helped hosts Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to a 1-0 win over Katsina United in a Nigeria Professional Football League match.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the win was a Match Day 18 match in the 2024/2025 NPFL at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
The hosts did dominate possession, especially in the first half, but they struggled and failed to convert their goal scoring chances.
Junior Aimufua and Issa Gatta posed occasional threats from the flanks, but were unable to break the deadlock.
The first half saw Kwara United losing Akeem Akanni, who was forced out of the game due to injury, and was subsequently replaced by Sodeeq Yusuf before the break.
Also Read:
- 80 deaths reported from Lassa fever in 11 states in one week
- Akinnola to Babangida: You lied about Dele Giwa’s death
- Jigawa: Bus fire incident claims four lives, 10 hospitalised
- Fire destroys property worth millions of Naira in Ibadan
- We’ve installed speed cameras on Third Mainland Bridge — FG
The second half saw relentless pressure from Kwara United in the search for a goal, but Katsina United employed delay tactics to disrupt the flow of the game.
However, substitute Ismail Gatta, who replaced Wasiu Alalade in the 53rd minute, became the hero in the 87th minute after confidently converting a penalty kick.
This was after a Katsina United defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.
Kwara United’s Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, later insisted that his side was still a work in progress though he praised their resilience against a tough Katsina United.
He said: “We are proud of the young players we are using.
“Modern football favours youthful energy over big names.”
Sanni also assured the club’s fans that Akanni’s injury was minor and he should return to action in about one week or two weeks.
NAN reports that Kwara United are now in 11th place on the log with 23 points, and an outstanding home game against Enyimba International of Aba.
They will face the Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday in their final match day fixture in the first stanza of the league.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
