In the past two weeks, Kwara United has made more headlines in the local and national media than any other Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club.
Not that the Kwara State darling team has won any continental, domestic league, Aiteo Cup or continental ticket but the team has consistently remained a subject of discussion for the wrong reasons.
With relegation starring the Harmony Boys in the face, the gaffer of the club, Abubakar Bala shocked the management, supporters and players of the club when he announced his decision to quit his role without any initial sign.
Bala hinged his decision on three months outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses owed the players and officials of the club which according to him is affecting the performance of the team.
He also alleged that the attitude of the management changed towards the team after the 2019 general elections. According to him, the President of the club, Prince Oladimeji Thompson was not sighted anywhere near the club for about two weeks, a situation that affected the morale of the players and results on the pitch.
The resignation of Bala caused a panic in the camp of Kwara United until the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) under the leadership of Ladan Bosso condemned Bala’s action and asked him to return to his position at the club.
Bala, who was said to be preparing to join the National U-20 team (Flying Eagles) however made a U-turn by returning to Ilorin just after the team had suffered a 0-1 loss to Rangers in Enugu. The former Niger Tornadoes’ coach’s return however failed to make the desired impact as the team laboured to a goalless draw against visiting team, Rivers United at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin at the weekend.
As it stands, Kwara United appeared destined for the drop to the lower division at the end of the 2019 NPFL abridged league with the club amassing only 21 points in 19 matches an average of almost a point per game. The Harmony Boys’ points haul is only better than that of Remo Stars and Tornadoes who have both been relegated already with 18 points each.
Ever since their top striker, Segun Alebiosu sustained an injury, Kwara United has continued to struggle for results at home and on the road. The team’s other attacking options, Ebenezer Odeyemi and his colleagues have failed to weigh in the goals reason the club has failed to secure a win in five matches.
As it stands, United will need to win all its three remaining matches in the league to have any chance of beating the drop to the lower division.
The tricky ties begin with a trip to Bauchi where they face another relegation-bound, team, Wikki Tourists. The two teams are only separated by three points and the Wikki Tourists will be more than desperate to further extend their lead to six points against Kwara United.
Anything short of a win or at least a draw in this tie will confirm the relegation of the Harmony Boys.
After the trip to Bauchi, Kwara United will host Remo Stars in Ilorin in a match the team is expected to secure a win even if it is by the odd goal. And on the final day of the season, United will travel to Minna to play already relegated Tornadoes, The Niger-State team like Remo Stars have nothing to play for except pride.
The League Management Company (LMC) will be on the lookout for any trace of match-fixing in the final fixtures hence it is important United prepare adequately for this match and not expect any back door favour from the home team or match officials.
But how did Kwara United find itself in such position? Well, it is a combination of several factors. First the team did not make the right recruitment at the beginning of the season as the squad is littered with below average players. Most of the players recruited by the coach have failed to meet the NPFL standard. There are several players that have featured in grassroots soccer competition that are better than some players in the current Kwara United squad.
The lack of depth in the squad is apparent or how come the team has struggled for goals in the absence of the injured Alebiosu.
Also, the team lacks the right motivation with players and officials said to be owed backlog of salaries and allowances.
In addition, the team lacks technical depth as the coaches led by Bala failed to apply the right tactics to secure results at home and on the road. With the top striker, Alebiosu injured, one would have expected that the coaches fashion out ways and tactics to get the team goals. Rather than playing through the middle which is more often than not crowded by domestic league coaches, one would have expected the team to play through the flanks in order to get the needed goals.
