Emmanuel Ogbole was the hero for Kwara United, scoring a stunning long-range goal just before halftime to give his team a crucial lead. Ogbole’s powerful strike from outside the box came in the 44th minute, and it proved to be the match-winner as Kwara United held on for a vital three points.
The game was especially significant for Kwara United, who entered the match in the relegation zone. They needed a positive result to start climbing up the NPFL standings, and they got off to a strong start. In the 27th minute, Ogbole was brought down in the box and immediately appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. Despite the disappointment, Kwara United kept pushing forward and were nearly rewarded with a second goal in the 38th minute, when Shola AbdulRaheem’s header was expertly saved by Nasarawa’s goalkeeper.
As the second half began, the game became a tense affair. Kwara United found themselves on the defensive after midfielder Victor Adeoye was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 70th minute, leaving his side to play with 10 men for the final 20 minutes. However, despite being a man down, Kwara United dug in and showed great resilience.
Goalkeeper Nurudeen Badmus played a key role in maintaining the lead, making crucial double saves in the 75th minute to deny Nasarawa United an equalizer. Defenders Ibrahim Yahaya and Kabir Mohammed also stood firm, blocking Nasarawa’s attempts to break through, ensuring that the visitors held on for a historic win.
Speaking after the match, Coach Tunde Sanni praised his team's determination and resilience. "This is a compensation from God, we are due to have won many away games. You can see we lost many scoring chances as well, but we thank God for the victory," Sanni remarked, reflecting on the team's efforts.
The victory provides a massive boost for Kwara United, who have struggled in the early stages of the season. With the three points, they will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Plateau United in a home fixture for Matchday 12. Fans will be hopeful that this win marks the beginning of a strong run of form as the team aims to avoid relegation and secure a more comfortable position in the league standings.
For now, though, it’s time for celebration as Kwara United’s players and supporters savor their first away victory of the campaign.
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