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Valentine Odoh's Strike Earns Abia A Point Against Kwara United In Ilorin

Writer's picture: ckdmediackdmedia

April, 21 2022.

On the back on three league games without a win, Kwara United engages Abia Warriors at the Kwara state stadium on Wednesday afternoon in one of the week 24 Nigeria Professional Football League matches.



Both teams file out with purpose of intent as seen in the opening fifteen minutes of the match.



It took twenty minutes before a real chance could be fashioned out when Fatokun finds Danbani with a delightful pass but the striker misses a sitter. Moments later, Abia warrior Anumudu found space down the left but his effort was saved by Iwu in goal for Kwara.



United nearly took the lead just past the half hour mark when Samuel Bamidele's effort from a freekick clips the right post. Just when it seems the half was drawing to a close, Alao Danbani finds Samuel Tiza who finishes past Edafe Vincent to give his side the advantage going into the break.



The opening five minutes of the restart was action filled, Afeez Nosiru earns a yellow for a reckless challenge on Valentine Odoh followed by a double substituition by the Harmony Boys as the duo of Samad Kadiri and Ayobami Junior replaces Junior Lokosa and Chisom Emmanuel respectively.



Moments later, Abia warrior level when Godwin Obaje Inviting cross from the right found Valentine Odoh whose volley was managed to be cleared however referee Buhari Bawa signals a goal after the ball has crossed the line.



Abia make a couple of twist to their setup with a couple of substituitions but it was the host who continue to threatened with Ejeh Isaiah heading wide and Samad going close.



A defensive mixed up by Abia in fourth minute of the five added minutes presented Kwara United with a glorious opportunity to win the game when Bashir Olawale setup Samad Kadiri with the goal at his Mercy but saw his effort agonizingly wide as the match ends in a shares the spoil.



Following the draw, Coach Abdullahi Biffo described the result as a setback for his team adding his side will continue to fight to achieve their objectives



" We are struggling psychologically at the moment because we haven't got the needed results in our last four games. The players are struggling but it's left for us the coaches to find the right approaches to come back from this temporary let down".



" It's really challenging because we've failed to deal with teams ahead of us though hard luck has also been a factor during this period but we are very optimistic that we will come back better", Biffo concluded.



Warriors Coach, Imama Amapakabo said it was a high octane game which saw both teams come up with different approaches during stretches of the game:



" Always nice playing against Kwara because you can be sure of having the ball on the ground but we had to make a contingency plan to neutralizes their threats which came from the wings".



" We needed extra strength and also a bit fortunate in some situations. There's a big gulf between both teams today but we are going to learn a lot from this and improve the team as I am very confident and optimistic of retaining our top flight status". He said.

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