It was a huge defeat for Kwara United as they lost 2 nil to Lobi Stars in the new year opener, MD17 of the NPFL at Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Sunday.
The Harmony boys coming from an away defeat from Kano Pillars in the match day 16 of the apex league.
The encounter on Sunday started with high tempo from both sides as they fought their mettle on the field.
The game against Makurdi side was the last match of the three matches ultimatum’ given to Kabiru Dogo and his coaching crew.
Kwara United started with a promising style throwing everything into the game in the early minutes.
But it was Eugene Agabe led side who came with confidence, composure, intensity, energy and with their free flowing football that took the lead via an own goal from Goodwin Osagbemi in 21 minutes of the game making six matches the home side have conceded first at home in this campaign.
Kwara United rose to search for an equalizer with begging chances but they were not close to scoring as they misplaced some passes.
Stanley Oganbor took an advantage from an error from Isaiah Ejeh who failed to clear the ball away for being the last man as the number 7 jersey who was tormenting the defence line dribbled past on rushing Dele Aiyenugba to tap the ball into an empty net to extend their lead and silenced the home fans.
After the restart of the second half and close to the half hour mark, Kwara United failed to reduce the deficit as Emmanuel Ogbole was brought down in the box as the center referee blow for a penalty.
Paul Samson stepped up and missed the penalty as Lobi Stars goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi guessed right to save the spot kick.
The home side pressing and pressing to restore the faith of disappointing home fans as Dogo made several changes but Lobi Stars defence remained resolute at the back defended with their hearts and souls.
Even it was the away side who also came to scoring the third in the closing stage of the match as they wine down the clock knocking ball around, inflicting the first home lose to Kwara United and second away victory of the campaign.
Lobi Stars Coach Eugene Agabe thanked his players for the hard work for the resounding victory over Harmony boys, saying they were more organized and better team than Kwara United.
” I thank the players for the hard work. However, they will need to work harder because our aim was to be among the first three at the end of the season, to win a continental is our target and coming to ilorin was to beat Kwara United”.
” I have a better team by the statistics, even before the game today. We are more organized with the right technical and tactical discipline”.
Kabiru Dogo while speaking to the newsmen, congratulated Lobi Stars for the win, saying Kwara United will bounce back from the poor results.
“Congratulations to Lobi Stars for the win, Kwara United will bounce back from the poor results”
“I don’t want to comments on Kwara United predicaments, with time Kwarans will know where the problem are “.
Kwara United currently sitting in 14th position on the log with 19 points two adrift of the relegation.
Their next game is away in Imo State against Heartland FC on Sunday 14th December, 2024.
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