Tag: Kwara United

Kwara United Football Club has strengthened its squad with the addition of six new players as the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season enters a crucial phase.

The new recruits are Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, an attacker from Kada Warriors; Hannafi Akaje Babatunde, a defensive midfielder from ABS FC; Gabriel Abutu Jeremiah, a defensive midfielder from Lobi Stars; Samsudeen Mohammed, a centre forward also from Lobi Stars; Salisu Mustapha, an attacker from Kano Pillars; and Okoloko Otega Jonathan, a central midfielder from Morak FC.

The players trained with the rest of the squad on Saturday under the supervision of Head Coach Ashifat Suleiman at the Rashidi Main Bowl of the George Innih Stadium, Ilorin, as preparations intensified for the NPFL Matchday 24 clash against Warri Wolves.

Kwara United also received a boost with the return of some injured players. Ibrahim Yahaya and Alao Mohammed are back in contention, while Arinze Ogbonna has returned after his trials. However, Adeshina Gata remains sidelined as he continues his recovery.

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In the reverse fixture played in Ozoro earlier in the season, the Harmony Boys held Warri Wolves to a goalless draw. They are now targeting maximum points in front of their home supporters as they push to climb out of the relegation zone.

Speaking on a radio sports programme, Coach Ashifat Suleiman expressed optimism that the team would return to winning ways following the arrival of the new signings and the return of key players. He also appealed to supporters and stakeholders to continue supporting the club during this critical period of the season.

Meanwhile, Victor Adeoye has left the club to go on trials, while Ajiboye Moses, Ngomere Chisom, Said Mubarak, Jimoh Wasiu, Obiora Kingsley, and Chibuzor Ogbodo Eze have departed the club to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Kwara United, who still have an outstanding fixture against Rivers United, will host Warri Wolves today by 4:00 pm in Ilorin.

Kwara United head coach Ashifat Suleiman has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to recover despite their latest setback in the Nigeria Premier Football League tie against Ikorodu City which they lost 1-0.

Speaking after the defeat in Lagos, Suleiman admitted the result was disappointing but insisted his team showed enough quality to deserve at least a share of the spoils.

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 “This is a difficult period for us, but we will overcome it soon,” the coach said. “We were unlucky not to pick up at least a point in Lagos.”

Suleiman also appealed to the club’s supporters to remain patient and supportive as the season enters a critical phase.

“At this time, we need the full backing of our supporters. Their support will help the players regain confidence,” he added.

The loss leaves the Harmony Boys on 24 points after 21 matches, sitting 16th on the NPFL standings.

Kwara United will be exempted from league action this weekend with their Matchday 22 tie at home to Rivers United to be postponed with the league leaders’ involvement in the CAF Champions League away to Power Dynamos in Ndola, Zambia.

Kwara United have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 9 fixture against Katsina United, with five key players ruled out through illness and injury.

The affected players include Aliu Saulaudeen, Muhammad Alao, Mubarak Saed, Obiora Kingsley, and Mises Nyebe. According to the club’s medical department, Alao and Saed are battling malaria, while Saulaudeen is nursing an injury. Kingsley and Nyebe are also sidelined as they recover from minor knocks.

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The Harmony Boys will hope their depleted squad can still deliver when they host Katsina United this weekend at the Rashidi Yekini Stadium, Ilorin.

Kwara United will be aiming to build on their spirited 1–1 away draw against Wikki Tourists last Sunday — a result that lifted them to 14th on the NPFL table with nine points after eight matches.

Abia Warriors and Kwara United secured crucial home wins in their rescheduled games played yesterday to move up the ladder of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Both were involved in CAF Confederation Cup games and were eliminated by Djoliba Athletic Club of Mali and Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the first preliminary round.

Abia Warriors beat Remo Stars 2-0 through the goals of Emeka Obioma and Sunday Megwo in the 28th and 60th minutes. The second goal came from the penalty spot. With the victory, Abia Warriors have moved to the fourth spot with nine points from five games while the Sky Blue Stars slid to the 14th spot with seven points from five games.

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The Umuchineke Boys will travel to Ilorin as guests of Kwara United who triumphed over Plateau United 2-1 in another rescheduled game dubbed the North Central derby played yesterday in Ilorin.

Junior Aimufua put the Harmony Boys in the lead in the dying minute of the first half. The Peace Boys equalised in the 58^th  minute through Vincent Temitope but Kwara United had the last laugh when Aule Johnmark struck in the 79^th  minute off a goal mouth scramble.

Kwara United have moved to the seventh spot with eight points.

Kwara United have promised to bounce back stronger after their elimination in the preliminary stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.

The Nigerian club slumped 0-1 at home to Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State to bow out on a 3-5 aggregate scoreline.

While apologising to their teeming supporters, fans, and other critical stakeholders for the continental ouster, the Harmony Boys pleaded for understanding as they plot their way back to reckoning.

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Kwara needed an outright win to secure a place in the next round, but a lone strike by Hubert Gyalu in the 53rd minute sealed a 1-0 victory for the Porcupine Warriors in the return leg played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

In a statement yesterday , Kwara chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, described the early exit as painful and regrettable, pleading with fans to forgive the team for they are determined to bounce back stronger.

Kwara United will now focus solely on the ongoing Nigeria top-flight for a chance to return to the continent with a home tie against Plateau United on Thursday.

Rivers United, Remo Stars advance

Nigeria’s two flag bearers in the CAF Confederation Cup, Kwara United and Abia Warriors have been bundled out of the continental race  by a more business-like Asante Kotoko  of Ghana and Djoliba Athletic Club of Mali respectively.

Elsewhere in the CAF Champions League, both Rivers United and Remo Stars  both progressed to the second preliminary round.

But  yesterday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Kwara United were beaten 1–0  by Asante Kotoko and the slim victory handed the visitors a 5–3 aggregate triumph, sealing their progression to the next round of the continental competition.

After losing a pulsating first leg 4–3 in Accra, Kwara United were banking on their three away goals to overturn the deficit. However, Asante Kotoko displayed greater composure and tactical discipline in Abeokuta, frustrating the hosts for much of the contest.

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The decisive moment came midway through the second half when the Ghanaians capitalised on a defensive lapse to grab the only goal of the game — a strike that effectively ended any comeback hopes for the Nigerian side.

Similarly, Abia Warriors, were eliminated after a lone-goal defeat in Bamako against Djoliba Athletic Club.

 Abia Warriors had drawn 1–1  in the first leg played in Uyo but conceded late in Bamako to lose out on 2-1 aggregate.

Meanwhile, Rivers United advanced after defeating Les Aigles of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1–0 in the return leg yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Kinshasa, the Nigerian side sealed progression on a 1–0 aggregate scoreline, thanks to a first-half strike from Stephen Manyo that proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.

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The win sends Rivers United into the second preliminary round, where they will face Black Bulls of Mozambique.

With this result, Rivers United join Remo Stars in the second round of the CAF Champions League. Remo Stars had earlier beaten US Zilmadjou of Comoros 5–0 on aggregate to scale through on Saturday.

The Sky Blue Stars will now face former champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, in the next round.

The second preliminary round is scheduled to hold between October 17 and 26, while the group stage kicks off in November.

Asante Kotoko forward Albert Amoah has expressed confidence that the Porcupine Warriors will finish the job when they travel to Nigeria for the return leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Kwara United.

Kotoko edged the Nigerians 4–3 in a thrilling first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium, with Amoah bagging a brace. While admitting that defensive lapses cost the team goals, the striker insisted that qualification remains firmly in their sights.

“We played very well and scored goals but we also made few mistakes at the back. We conceded three goals  but we’re not giving up. We’re going to Nigeria to qualify,” Amoah said.

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Meanwhile, Kwara United defender Tunde Sanni admitted that Kotoko proved to be a stronger side than anticipated but stressed that the Harmony Boys are ready to capitalize on home advantage in the decisive second leg.

“We didn’t know they were this good. Our assertion is not what we met, but they were a bit luckier today. They’re coming to meet us at home as well,” Sanni said.

The reverse fixture is slated for Sunday, September 28, at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium in Abuja, with the winner set to face Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club in the next stage.

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko have announced the gate fees for their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg showdown against Nigeria’s Kwara United.

The highly anticipated fixture is set for Sunday, September 21, at the Accra Sports Stadium, where the Porcupine Warriors will look to seize a first-leg advantage before the return match in Nigeria.

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According to the club’s management, ticket prices have been structured to encourage mass turnout while ensuring strong financial support for the team. Fans will pay 50 Ghana cedis (₦7,200) for popular stand access, while VIP tickets are pegged at 150 Ghana cedis (₦21,600).

Kotoko officials have urged their passionate supporters to fill the stands, stressing that their presence could provide the decisive edge in pushing the team toward victory.

The encounter is expected to generate significant attention across the continent. While Kotoko will count on their home crowd, Kwara United travel with hopes of staging an upset.

This fixture is already tipped as one of the standout ties in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, which has so far delivered thrilling matchups across Africa.