It was a heartbreaking afternoon for Kwara United fans as their team fell to a determined Akwa United side, suffering a 2-0 defeat in their NPFL Matchday 30 encounter at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl, George Inih Stadium. The result handed Akwa United their first away win of the 2024-25 season and significantly improved their chances of escaping relegation.
Early Dominance, Missed Chances for Kwara United
Kwara United started the match on the front foot, dominating possession and creating multiple scoring chances. Wasiu Alalade, Issa Gatta, and Junior Aimufua all had opportunities to put the home side ahead but failed to convert. Their profligacy in front of goal would later come back to haunt them.
Red Card Turns the Game on Its Head
The match took a dramatic turn in the 24th minute when Kwara United defender Segun Adekunle received a straight red card for impeding a clear goal-scoring opportunity. He had fouled Uche Sabastine from behind just outside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to send him off.
Akwa United Seize the Advantage
With a numerical advantage, Akwa United wasted no time in capitalizing. Two minutes after the red card, center-back Endurance Ebedebiri took a powerful free-kick that struck the post, and winger Osoba Kabir reacted quickest to fire in the rebound, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Kwara United’s Second-Half Struggles
Despite making tactical adjustments at the break, including the introduction of Wasiu Jimoh for the injured Issa Gatta, Kwara United struggled to break down a disciplined Akwa United defense. Their best second-half opportunity came when Etim Charles attempted an audacious long-range shot, but Kwara goalkeeper Nurudeen Badmos tipped it over the bar.
Disallowed Goal Adds to Akwa United's Frustration
Akwa United thought they had doubled their lead when Uche Sabastine latched onto Seyi Oguntayo’s clever pass and finished brilliantly. However, the assistant referee ruled him offside, momentarily keeping Kwara United’s hopes alive.
Boboye’s Tactical Masterclass
Sensing an opportunity to kill the game, Akwa United coach Kennedy Boboye made strategic substitutions, bringing on Ibrahim Akande, Paschal Onunze, and Edidiong Ezekiel. Their introduction provided fresh energy to the visitors’ attack and ensured control of midfield battles.
Uche Sabastine Seals the Win
Akwa United finally got their second goal in the closing stages when midfielder Ibrahim Akande threaded a perfectly weighted through pass to Uche Sabastine. The striker showed great composure, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper for his fifth goal in nine games since joining the club mid-season.
Coach Sanni Laments Kwara United’s Wastefulness
After the match, Kwara United’s interim coach, Tunde Sanni, expressed disappointment at his players’ inability to convert their early chances. “We ought to have won convincingly with our performance in the first 20 minutes, but my lads wasted scoring chances, and we paid the price,” he said.
Relegation Battle Intensifies for Akwa United
For Akwa United, the victory was a massive boost in their relegation fight. The 2021 NPFL champions climbed from 19th to 17th place with 34 points from 30 matches, still needing more wins to secure safety.
Head-to-Head Dominance Over Kwara United
This victory meant Akwa United completed a season double over Kwara United, having won the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. It also marked their first away win of the season, an achievement that could be a turning point in their fight for survival.
Kwara United’s Position on the NPFL Table
Following this defeat, Kwara United remain in 13th place with 39 points from 30 matches. The Ilorin-based club will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Nasarawa United in a crucial midweek fixture.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Akwa United will return home to Uyo, where they will host Niger Tornadoes in a Matchday 31 fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Meanwhile, Kwara United have little time to dwell on this loss, as their next match against Nasarawa United has been moved forward to Wednesday due to the upcoming Sallah celebrations.
Final Thoughts
Kwara United will rue their missed chances, but Akwa United deserve full credit for their resilience and tactical discipline. With only eight matches left in the season, the relegation battle remains intense, and both teams must fight hard to secure their places in the NPFL next season.
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