It was a huge relief for fans of the Harmony Boys in Ilorin as Kwara United secured a hard fought 2-1 victory over Plateau United on Thursday in the NPFL matchday 15.
The tension in Ilorin had earlier boiled over due to the poor run of form of Kwara United especially at the home front. The coach Kabiru Dogo led side dropped points at home for four times, a trend that has left the management and supporters frustrated.
Before the Thursday’s games, Kwara United were 14th on the log with 16 points. They had pocketed just three wins, seven draws with four losses from 14 games.
That the gate was later thrown open in order to attract the fans, the frustration on ground would later be heightened when Albert Hilary scored a stunning free kick in the 20th minutes of the game.
As the pressure rages on, Kwara United, yet again failed to give the home based supporters something to cheer about, leaving them in denial with their lack of clinical finishing.
Kwara United’s effort would later pay off when one of their goal onslaughts earned them a 20-yard free kick in the early 70s. The team’s Captain, Kabiru Balogun stepped on and send the ball into the top corner of the goalpost to level the terms.
With the introduction of new legs into the fray, Kwara United gained more momentum upfront and with seven minutes to the end of the regulation time, super substitute Sadeeq Yusuf toed in from a scramble to give the fans what they had longed for- a victory on the home soil.
Sadeeq would later get a red card after pulling off his shirt in the course of goal celebration which sent the main bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex into eruption.
Earlier in the first half, the centre referee had also sent off Plateau United’s Yakubu Adams after getting a second yellow card for holding down Ifeanyi Odinnega in a goal bound move.
During the intervals however, Albert Hilary once again tried another free kick at goal but his effort hit the woodwork to the relief of the fans.
With the victory, Kwara United has now moved up a little bit on the log. The team now occupies 11th position on the table with 19 points.
The Harmony Boys will face Kano Pillars in their next match away from home as Coach Kabiru Dogo hopes to overcome the three match ultimatum given to him by the management.