NPFL: Kwara Utd Leash Warri Wolves In Ilorin

Kwara United FC of Ilorin on Sunday beat Warri Wolves 2-0 to return to winning streak and climbed to the top of the log.

The Match Day 13, 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.

Stephen Jude scored from 35 metre distance in the 8th minute to shoot Kwara United into the lead.

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From then, Kwara United dominated proceedings throughout the first half but lacked the discipline to convert their many chances.

Jide Faokun’s attempt in the 21th minute to finish a Kwara United’s smart move ended with a vital block by a Warri Wolves’ defender to deny the hosts.

Kwara United dominated throughout the first stanza of the match but Warri Wolves defended well to leave the result at 1-0 going into the break.

Warri Wolves restarted the 2nd half better than the hosts and threatened Kwara United each time they poured forward.

Jide Williams in the 48th minute almost scored an own goal from a vital touch to Warri Wolves to stop a perfect into his box.

Michael Ohanu connected Muhammed Aliyu’s perfect cross and noded past Pwadadi Bulus in goal for Warri Wolves in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 advantage to Kwara United.

Ohanu in the 58th minute missed another opportunity to grab a brace from close range after connecting a low cross inside the 6 metre box.

Evans Ogenyi introduced the duo of Daniel Ijeh and Lucus Ozioma for Sunday Williams and Efe Yarhere in the 65th minute for Warri Wolves to increase the pressure on the hosts.

Dele Aiyenugba made a vital one-on-one save in the 70th minute as Warri Wolves grew into the game as they pegged their hosts into their half.

Kwara United’s Christopher Nwaeze was booked in the 78th minute for a rash challenge on Warri Wolves’ player.

The yellow card means the Kwara United captain would miss the Match Day 14 away to Wikki Tourists.

Warri Wolves’ Innocent Orukpe was twice cautioned in the 63rd and 82nd minutes to get the visitors reduced to 10-men.

With the result, Kwara United have returned to the top of the log with 25 points from 13 games pending when Enyimba and Rivers United play their outstanding games.

NAN reports that Kwara United’s coach, Abdullahi Biffo, made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Abia Warriors on Wednesday in Ilorin.

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Muhammed Aliyu replaced Muri Lawal in defense, Brazilian Alves Lucas made his first start of the campaign and came in for Olawale Farayola while Samuel Chisom took the place of Joshua Agboola in the heart of the midfield.

Lucas made an instant impact on the game when his shot hit the post with only 35 seconds into the match.

Speaking after the match, the assistant coach of Warri Wolves, Austin Johnny, said it was a nice game even though his team did not play in the first half.

Johnny blamed his team’s lack of coordination in the first half to fatigue and added that he expected more from his wards.

His Kwara United’s counterpart, Biffo, said his changes to the squad that drew 1-1 with Abia Warriors on Wednesday was to get a better result.

He said Olawale Farayola, who always came in from the benched, started the Abia Warriors game but did not give what was expected of him, hence the reason he was dropped to the bench on Sunday.