Fans and supporters of Kwara United were left frustrated on Saturday as Nine man Katsina United held the Harmony Boys to 1-1 draw at their home ground of Kwara State Stadium Complex in Ilorin.
A late equalising corner kick goal from Micheal Ibe-Okoro pierced through the heart of the Harmony Boys who had earlier gotten their lead through Issa Gata in the stroke of the halftime.
The Harmony boys dominated the first half of the game and their thrust upward eventually earned them a step towards a win until goalkeeper Adeyinka Adewale was beaten in his own stand by a long corner kick in the 87th minute to the chagrin of the home fans.
Despite the numerical disadvantage of Katsina United following the axe of Sunday Akinmoladun and Mathew Okoko in the 80th and 90th minutes respectively via red card, the visitors were able to wade off goal onslaughts from the home side that grew more hunting in the twilight of the game.
Katsina United were led by a former Technical Adviser of Kwara United, Bala Muhammed. Speaking after the game, he described Kwara State as his second home after Niger State, noting that
“Before the game, I knew I was coming back to my second home after Niger State and I believe that my players and I will be given a conducive environment to exhibit themselves” he said.
Bala stated that the homeside claimed the bragging rights of the game in the first half but his boys had their presssure consumed in the second half thus culminating to the equaliser.
He rued the situation where two of his important players were shown a red card and noted that their services will be missed in their next game,though remain positive of a victory at home.
For Bala, who has won six of his last nine games, lost two and drew one since taking over at Katsina United, his ultimate target is to stabilize the team and ensure a top ten finish.
In what is expected to be another roller coaster second round, the match result somewhat opens Kwara United to some level of criticism despite recruiting ten new players during the mid season transfer.
Kwara United have now drawn 10 games in the current NPFL season – one more than any other side in the league.
In his reactions after the game, the Chief Coach of Kwara United noted that equaliser goal from the visitors was unexpected, saying that match was wholly dominated by the home side.
“Everybody was surprised with the goal.We can’t say the goal is the fault of anybody. You can see that the opponent didn’t even have much attempt” he said rhetorically
Being the former Abia Warriors Chief Coach, Tunde Sanni is optimistic that Kwara United will redeem their image when they take on the Abia based side in the mid week game.
With 25 points from 21 games, Kwara United are seated 13th on the log while Katsina United with 31 points from the same game occupy 9th position on the log.