Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi on Sunday condemned Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to a 2-0 defeat, to worsen the Ilorin based Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side’s season.
Crediblenews reports that the match day 17 2023/2024 NPFL season was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
It was a match that Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo tutored boys needed to win, especially on the backdrop of the three match ultimatum given to the coaching crew.
The goals were scored in the first half, the first been an own goal in the 20th minute, and the second, in the 41st minute, also from defensive error.
The goals left Kwara United struggling, making mistakes after mistakes, and were forced to make the first change as Shola AbdulRaheem was injured in the 37th minute and was replaced with Ayo Adejubu.
Kwara United resumed the second half with renewed determination and could have scored from a spot kick when Emmanuel Ogbole was fouled in the box, but Paul Samson could not convert the penalty.
Lobi Stars coach, Eugene Agagbe, said that the target was to beat the home team to broaden their chances of top three finish.
“I thank the players for the hard work. However, they will need to work harder because our aim is to be among the first three at the end of the season, to win a continental ticket.
“Our target coming to Ilorin was to beat Kwara United. I have a better team, going by the statistics, even before the game today.
Coach Dogo of Kwara United, who congratulated Lobi Stars, said that his team will bounce back from the poor result, adding that, ‘we are not the first team to have lost at home this season’.
“It’s football. I don’t want to comment on Kwara United’s predicaments. With time, Kwara people will know what the problems are.
He, however, added that had his team scored the penalty awarded them in the 43rd minute, it would have changed the fortunes of the team in the match.
Crediblenews.ng
