Michael Ibe scored directly from a corner kick as nine men Katsina United held Kwara United at home in the match day 21 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played on Saturday.
The encounter was played at Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.
Kwara United were the better side throughout the first half as they showed grit and passion, surging forward to creating few chances against their opponents.
Emmanuel Ogbole and Issa Gata were the best players on the field for Kwara United marauding the defence of the Abubakar Bala led side.
Ogbole had two great chances in front of goal trying his luck by shooting from distance with power and precision.
His efforts came to scoring in the half hour mark with his shooting accurate with Katsina United goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim parried his efforts to the corner.
Kwara United up their performance and came into the game with rightful spirits as they pressed, pushed and searched for an opening goal of the match in the first half.
On the stroke of halftime the stadium erupted as Issa Gata scored with his weaker foot with his sleekly efforts to beat the goalkeeper at near post in 44 minutes as first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Harmony boys.
The tempo of the game dropped after the restart of the second half from the home side as Katsina United curtailed Kwara United attack failing to create any notable and begging chances.
After the hour mark, Katsina United defender Sunday Akinmoladun was red carded after a rash challenge on Ejeh Isaiah.
The center referee had to consult his assistant before issuing the red card to the defender as Katsina United bench protested wildly in the technical area for the red card.
And close to the tail of the match, ten men Katsina United got an equalizer from direct corner after Michael Ibe resulting corner beat Adewale Adeyinka as the goal held the mouth of the fans and supporters in the stadium awe.
Katsina United received a second red card of the match as Emmanuel Okoko was also shown a red card for a dissent.
In the 7 additional minutes, Kwara United searched for a winner but Katsina United remain resolute at the back defended with their heart and soul to grab a point in Ilorin.
Kwara United Chief Coach, Tunde Sanni expressed the disappointment how the goal was conceded by his side, saying he doesn’t have answers to it.
“There some goals have been scored, that we don’t have answer to that, Everybody was surprising to see the ball inside the nets” Coach Sanni said.
” We can not say it is the fault of anybody, I don’t know I cannot say, how the ball manage to enter the nets” He concluded.
Coach Sanni, while responding to the problem of defending corners, said they will work on it.
He said, the team will redeemed their image in the midweek encounter against his former side Abia Warriors.
Katsina United Coach, Abubakar Bala said, his team fought very hard and was very happy to get the draw against Kwara United.
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