By Olayinka Owolewa
A more compact and composed Kwara United FC of Ilorin showed great character on Sunday to beat a well organised Nasarawa United FC of Lafia 2-0.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match Day 19 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
With Akwa United picking a draw in Lagos on Saturday against Sunshine Stars of Akure, Kwara United dropped to the second position on the log, but Sunday result means they are back on the summit.
In the 14th minute, Kwara Uniteds Jide Fatokun with a great vision set up Samuel Ganda whose cross is headed to safety by a rugged Franklin Tebo.
Lucas Alves had a fantastic cross to Michael Ohanu of Kwara United who nodded straight into the safe hands of Nasarawa Uniteds goalkeeper, Godwin Ameh, in the 15th minute in one of the very few goal scoring opportunities in the first half.
It was a game with limited chances at both ends in the first half but the visitors were most better than their hosts.
Kwara United restarted the match better than the visitors and showed great character to break a Nasarawa United side that stuck to the game plans to most part of the proceedings.
Samuel Ganda who replaced injured Taiwo Salaudeen at the right back for Kwara United skillfully beat Nasarawa Uniteds back-line to blast home the opener after Stephen Judes meticulous display in the build up releasing the defender for the goal.
Stephen Judes effort which was inches away from goal almost double the lead for Kwara United in the 71th minute.
The solid miners in search of an equaliser came all out as the duo of Silas Nwankwo and Chinedu Ohanachom tried their luck from distance but could not hit target on several occasions.
Ebuka Anaekwe and Tebo Franklin tested Dele Aiyenugba before Jude Stephen dribbled his way pass two Nasarawa United players before bending his effort narrowly wide in the 78th minute.
A well composed Micheal Ohanu sealed the points for Kwara United in the 81th minute, when he received a split pass from Jude, the striker beat the Nasarawa Uniteds defenders to set up one-on-one with Godwin Ameh with a perfect control and sent the ball to his far left for the goal.
With the win Kwara United returned to top of the league with 36 points from 19 games as Nasarawa United dropped down to 6th from the same number of games with 30 points.
Other Results:
MFM 1-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
Lobi 2-1 Jigawa GS
Dakkada 4-2 Rivers Utd
Kwara Utd 2-0 Nasarawa Utd
Wikki 3-1 Katsina Utd
Kano Pillars 1-0 Wolves.
Source: NAN News