Kwara United will play next football season in the second tier Nigeria National League following their relegation from the Nigeria Professional Football League.
The Harmony boys claimed a 1-0 win away to Niger Tornadoes on matchday 22 of the NPFL ,but that was not enough to save the Ilorin based side from relegation as they finished 10th on the log.
Afeez Nosir scored the only goal of the encounter in the 40th minute to at least, give their fans something to cheer. Tornadoes also did not sail through as the Minna club are relegated. Both teams will continue their rivalry in the NNL next season.
The Club ended up in the season third from the bottom of the log with 27 points , -5 deficit in 22 matched played in group A of the Abridged League.
Bala Abubakar boys entered the abridged league with a 1-1 draw against Sunshine of Akure, sequel to another awkward 2-0 defeat to MFM FC of Lagos.
The Club however defeated visiting Enyimba International FC of Aba 3-2 to record their first win in the Group A week 3 match in the abridged 2018/2019 NPFL season played at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.
Segun Alebiosu scored a brace in the match, with Kwara United coming from behind twice to level the scores.
The team however succumbed to their second away loss of the season from the three games they played outside Ilorin against Lobi Stars with a 3-0 whitewash at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The match placed United fifth in the league table with five points from five games.
Earlier in the league, Kwara United Coach, Bala Abubakar admitted and worried about his team’s inability to score but expressed optimism that he can turn the tide for his side who are without a victory in their two opener league games.
“The team is just beginning. Majority of the team is almost 65 percent made of new members and they are gradually coming together. It is an abridged league it has to be a fast race we will ensure that we work very fast on the weak areas so that we will come back very quick and fast,” he said.
The club further had it at home in the week 6 match after playing a 1-2 deficit to Rangers Football club of Enugu. Lost again to Wikki tourists by a lone goal, though had it good during the second leg with 2-1 victory.
In the midst of all these goal drought, the team also had lots of internal crises which further compounded the club’s fortune.
The club’s technical adviser, Bala Abubakar resigned from his job impromptu without any prior notice to the management of the team. He cited many reasons ranging from financial infidelity from the board which he said had hampered the performance of his boys, among others.
Contrary to the allegations made by Bala, the management board of Kwara United under the leadership of Prince Thompson Oladimeji debunked owing the coach any salary.
He stated this in a press conference held at the Club’s secretariat attended by sports scribes. He claimed that Bala is still under a contractual agreements with the club and can’t just wake up and walk away.
“Contrary to his allegations, I want to bring it to the notice of the public that the club did not owe the coach any dime. In fact, we have paid him up till July salary,” the chairman said.
Bala did however resumed back his job prior the team clash with Remo Stars of Ijebu Ode , a match which again went array against the homer.
Hitherto to the match against Remo which was bid for the Kwara State stadium, players and officials of Kwara United staged protest over unpaid salaries to the state’s Ministry of Finance.
The players and officials clad in their club’s official kits carried placards with different inscriptions, demanding millions of naira in unpaid sign-on fees and salaries.
The protesters barricaded the entrance of the Ministry of Finance, denying workers access to their offices.
However, Relegated Kwara United FC has moved on and now has their attention focused on the 2019 Federations Cup.
A member of the team, Ebenezer Odeyemi expressed optimism that his side stood a very bright chance to go very far in the Federation Cup, failing to maintain a top flight status has made them to double their efforts.
“Now we have to move from the league to the AITEO Cup, so the mentality and attitude has to change. I really believe we have a good chance in this tournament, as our footballers are professional, I know we can move on from the relegation to the AITEO CUP.”
Ebenezer also said he remains saddened by the fact that his side would be campaigning in the NNL next season.
“I didn’t feel good about the relegation but I guess these things happen and we must find a way to move on. This abridged league was very competitive and I want to commend the league organisers and Nigeria Referees Association for making games unpredictable and fair.”
