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Sport

Kwara United unveil Biffo as new Technical Adviser

Unveiling
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 6, 2019 (NAN) Nigeria National League (NNL) side Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin have unveiled former Katsina United head coach Abdullahi Biffo as their new Technical Adviser.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara United recently signed Biffo on a three-year deal after he voluntarily resigned from his former club for undisclosed reasons .

Abubakar Bala was Kwara United’s head coach before Biffo was appointed.

Speaking at the brief unveiling ceremony in Ilorin on Thursday, Biffo said he would work assiduously to win laurels for the club.

He added that he would do his best to rebuild the club and win promotion for the side into the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the coming season.

“I’m happy with the new assignment entrusted on my shoulders and I believe that with the cooperation of everybody the task of rebuilding and rebranding Kwara United will be really easy.

“Expectations are genuinely quite high, and I promise to live up to the expectations, at least, to ensure Kwara United challenge for the promotion slot in the coming league season.

“I will further discover and develop the abundant talents available and make the side the best in the land.

“Though the task could be challenging, as well as daunting, but with hard work and determination my tenure will be a huge success,” Biffo said.

The club’s General Manager, Bashir Badawiy, who performed the unveiling, pledged the club management’s resolve to give the new Technical Adviser all the needed support.

The General Manager said he was optimistic that the coming of Biffo would impact positively on the fortunes of the club.(NAN)
OOH/BHB/OLAL
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(Edited by Buhari Bolaji and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Kwara United appoint former Plateau United captain as assistant coach

Appointment
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, July 13, 2019 (NAN) The management of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Saturday announced the appointment of Taofeeq Babatunde as Assistant Coach.

Abdulwaheed Bibire, the club’s Media Officer, disclosed in a statement in Ilorin that the appointment was arrived at after the club management considered three options before it.

The options were placed before the management in a submission by an independent body on the need to appoint a well-grounded coach to assist head coach Ashifat Sulyman.

Bibire said the appointment was with immediate effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Babatunde was the Chief Coach of ABS FC of Ilorin until his appointment.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

2018/2019 NPFL: MFM FC whip Kwara United 2-0

Match
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2019 (NAN) Lagos-based MFM Football Club on Wednesday defeated visiting Kwara United FC 2-0 in a Group A Match Day 2 fixture in the abridged 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win at the Agege Stadium was a morale-booster for MFM FC who suffered a 0-2 loss on Sunday in Aba.

They lost to hosts Enyimba International FC in a Match Day 1 fixture.

The team’s goals on Wednesday came through an own goal by Segun Alebiosu in the 49th minute and a superb header by substitute Kabir Adeniji in the 76th minute.

Adeniji was easily the hero of the match as he quickly settled down after being brought in to replace Elijah Akanni in the 74th minute.

Speaking after the match, the MFM FC Chief Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu said however that his team was not impressive in the first half.

He said if his team had lost the match there would have been a massive flushing out of players from the club.

“This is not the team I used to know. We played nothing in the first half of the game. The only difference in the second half were the goals.

“During the half-time break, I told the players that they were just playing for themselves, and were not showing enough seriousness.

“I also told them that if we lost the match, 80 per cent of them woul have to go. What I meant by this was that the club management would have to look for either another coach or the players.

“It is as simple as that. I can’t be absorbing the pressure alone. Last match I was the one, but now, it is their turn.

“We can be patting ourselves on the back for nothing,” Ilechukwu said.(NAN)
KOJE/DOE/OLAL
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Kwara United FC unveils new Technical Adviser

Unveiling
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, March 14, 2018 (NAN) Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Wednesday unveiled Abubakar Bala as its new Technical Adviser, replacing John Obuh who last week parted ways with the club.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the unveiling ceremony was held at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Sports Council in Ilorin.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Kwara United FC, Oladimeji Thompson, said the event called for a sober reflection as the club was working hard to restore its former glory.

Thompson said the club was working with stakeholders in the spirit of inclusive administration.

“We will redouble our commitment to put the club at a vantage position and sustain its hard-earned promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),’’ he said.

In his remarks also, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ayobola Samuel, assured of the state government support.

“We are committed to supporting Kwara United to return to winning ways,’’ he said.

Ahmed disclosed that a sustainable funding arrangement has been put in place to improve the welfare of players and officials of the club to campaign successfully in the NPFL.

He directed the management of the club to revert to the old gate fees being collected from spectators on NPFL match days to further mobilise spectators to the stadium.

Responding, the club’s new Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bala, expressed delight at the opportunity to work at Kwara United and sought the support of all stakeholders to succeed.

He appealed to Kwara football fans to be patient and prayerful as he rebuilds the club to return to winning ways.

“We will design a technical programme that will give the club a new playing direction with a view to ensuring the success of the club,’’ Bala said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Kwara United, Obuh have agreed to part ways, club management says

Agreement
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, March 12, 2018 (NAN) The management of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Monday said it has mutually agreed with the club’s Technical Adviser, John Obuh, for both parties to part ways.

The club’s Media Officer, Abdulwaheed Bibire, in a statement in Ilorin said this followed the club’s unimpressive performance so far in the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club management had earlier given Obuh a three-match ultimatum to either return the club to winning ways or get sacked.

However, the Obuh-led Kwara United technical crew had only led the team to losing one and drawing the other of two of the three matches.

Bibire, in the statement, quoted club chairman Oladimeji Thompson as saying the two parties mutually agreed after a meeting facilitated by the Kwara State Football Association Chairman, Busari Ishola on Monday.

He explained that the decision became necessary in view of the yearnings and aspirations of football stakeholders in Kwara to move the club forward.

Thompson added that Obuh would be long remembered in the history of the club as a passionate and committed coach.

“The management wishes the club’s former coach the very best in his future endeavours.’’

The club also assured the team’s teeming fans and supporters that a substantive Technical Adviser would be named as soon as possible so as not to create a vacuum.

NAN reports that Kwara United had dropped seven points from a possible 18 points at home this season.

The latest were the two points dropped in the 1-1 draw with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri on Sunday in Ilorin.

Meanwhile, NAN also gathered that a former coach of Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, Bala Abubakar, would be unveiled on Wednesday as the club’s new Technical Adviser.(NAN)
OOH/ECN/OLAL
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(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Kwara United supporters want club management to sack Obuh-led technical crew

NAN-S-14
Agitation
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Feb. 28, 2018 (NAN) A cross-section of football stakeholders in Kwara on Wednesday in Ilorin urged the management of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to sack the club’s technical crew.

The stakeholders made the call at a meeting organised by the club.

A member of the Kwara United Supporters Club, Oba Karara, asked the management to sack the technical crew led by John Obuh with immediate effect.

“The current technical crew can’t help us again. Let us part ways with the members of the technical crew and look for better hands.

“It will now be left to us to find a way of addressing the challenges if we have a change in the technical crew,’’ Karara said.

The Chairman of Kwara United Fans Club, Oluwatoyin Oniye, said the head of the team’s technical crew, John Obuh, was only good at coaching clubs in the lower leagues.

“He cannot coach at the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) level. He has tried it at different clubsides in the country and failed.

“We must sack our technical crew now. Our coach cannot handle clubs at the Premier League level.

“He coached at FC IfeanyiUbah, Niger Tornadoes and Rangers International and failed. So, this is evident that he cannot take us anywhere,’’ Oniye said.

Also speaking at the meeting, a former Chairman of the club, Lanre Jaji, asked the management to sack Obuh with immediate effect.

“The coach sent all the good players away and brought in sub-standard and unproductive players. The set of players he brought in cannot play at this level.

“The players must be discipline and not misbehave to the referee during games,’’ he said.

The Chairman of Kwara Coaches Association and former Kwara United Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, asked the club’s chairman to monitor the activities of the team strictly.

He also asked the people of the state to join hands with the club management for the needed support because the club belongs to everyone.

Sanni challenged the fans and the supporters’ clubs to always tell the management the truth and not lies, so as to move the club forward.

Ashifat Suleiman, the Chairman of National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), said the steps taken by the management on the club’s players were late.

He urged the club to sack unproductive players, adding that the team lacked a good striker and a creative midfielder.

“Kwara United don’t play like this. All that Nigerian players are concerned about nowadays is money. So, motivate your players,” Suleiman said.

Another former chairman of the club, Bamidele Aluko, asked the club management to improve on its finances.

“The club officials have formed a cabal. Many of the club’s members of staff are saboteurs.

“There is always problem while appointing a coach because the fans will always confuse you by saying `it is this coach that is good and it is that coach that is bad’.

“If you sack the coach today, the loyalty of the players he signed will be in doubt,” Aluko said.

Responding to some of the comments, the club’s Chairman, Oladimeji Thompson, thanked the stakeholders for their support.

“What everyone has said is noted and the management will act on it,’’ he said.

Thompson however, while explaining that the club management had issues negotiating with the players at the beginning of the season, assured that the matter has been resolved.

The Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ayobola Samuel, also made some clarifications at the meeting.

He explained that the budget which has money to take care of Kwara United was signed in December, while its implementation began in January.

“These are some of the issues that must be addressed systematically. But the state government is a lover of Kwara United and it will continue to give it priority attention,’’ Samuel said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club management had handed the club’s technical crew a three-match ultimatum on Sunday.

This was after their Match Day 10 0-1 loss to visiting Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt in the 2017/2018 NPFL in Ilorin on Sunday.(NAN)
OOH /AAB/OLAL
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(Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Kwara United beat Katsina United 2-1 to move up one step

NAN-S-11
Movement
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Feb. 11, 2018 (NAN) Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Sunday defeated visiting Katsina United 2-1 in a Match Day 8 fixture of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

With 20 minutes into the game, Joshua Agboola would have put the visitors ahead but goalkeeper Eze Chidiebere for Kwara United made a brilliant save to deny them the opening goal.

NAN reports that the first half was an end-to-end battle, but the duo of Akeem Onigbari and Chinedu Chukwu of Kwara United defended brilliantly on many occasions.

But the hosts went ahead with just three minutes after the restart when Emeka Godwin smashed a brilliant effort into the roof of the net.

Twelve minutes later, Stephen Alfred scored his third consecutive home game goal when he headed past goalkeeper Yinka David to extend Kwara United’s lead.

Substitute Sunday Odudu would have extended their lead but David made a fantastic save to deny the former Kwara Football Academy product.

Martins Usule ghosted past Kwara United’s Chinedu Chukwu before he brilliantly found the back of the net to make it 2-1 in the 84th minute.

There was a mild drama in the 90th minute when Katsina United’s appeal for a penalty kick was waved off by the centre referee.

The visitors had claimed that Chukwu used his hand to deflect an effort for a corner kick.

Another drama ensued one minute later when Joseph Adah who came on for Tasiu Lawal in the 58th minute was adjudged to have been fouled in the box.

The referee’s decision to wave play on led to some dissatisfaction.

Speaking after the game, Katsina United’s coach Abdullahi Biffo said while he had never complained about officiating he would not be out of order to complain this time around.

He claimed that it was the referee who handed the hosts the maximum three points.

“The referee made some calls that decided the game.

“But we can’t continue to see the game like this. It is like a waste of time when you prepare your team and the match officials hand you a performance like this.

“We want to be part of the development of the NPFL. But there is no cause for alarm, we will go back and strategise for the next game,’’ Biffo said.

His counterpart at Kwara United, John Obuh, said he was delighted to see his wards performed so brilliantly.

“We want to step up our game more than what has been seen today.

“We had to defend very well at the closing minutes of the game, because we had to defend our goals and they have nothing to lose. That was why they came out at us,’’ Obuh said.

Reacting to Biffo’s comments on the match officials’ handling of the match, Obuh said it was rather unfortunate.

He said it was lamentable that many Nigerian coaches complain when they not pleased with match results and keep quiet when they are happy with the results.

“As far as I am concerned, the referee did well. If we are to assign blames, we (Kwara United) will even say he didn’t give us any advantage playing at home,’’ the coach said.

NAN reports that Kwara United moved one place up on the log from 19th to 18th, with nine points from a possible 24.

They will travel to Lafia to face Nasarawa United for a Match Day 9 encounter on Feb. 18.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL: LMC moves Kwara United/Lobi Stars’ Match Day 6 fixture

NAN-S-18
LMC
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Jan. 29, 2018 (NAN) The League Management Company (LMC), organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has moved the Match Day 6 fixture involving Kwara United and Lobi Stars by 24 hours.

The LMC, in a letter on Monday by its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar, and addressed to the Secretary of Kwara United FC, confirmed the shift in date.

“The 2017/2018 NPFL Match Day 6 fixture scheduled for the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin has been moved from 4 p.m. on Wednesday to 4 p.m. on Thursday,’’ it said.

The league organisers did not give any specific reason for the shift in date, but the letter showed Kwara United FC had requested for the adjustment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara United had lost four of their five games so far this season.

The Ilorin-based club had only been able to record a slim victory over Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in Ilorin in a Match Day 4 fixture on Wednesday.

Kwara United lost 0-1 to hosts Akwa United FC on Match Day 5 at the Nest of champions in Uyo on Sunday.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

ABS FC names ex-Kwara United coach Sanni as Technical Adviser

NAN-S-14
Appointment
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin, Seni Saraki, has approved the appointment  of former Kwara United FC Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, as the club’s Technical Adviser.

Alloy Chukwuemeka, ABS FC’s Director of Football, told newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin that the former Shooting Stars FC player would take charge of the club in March.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club which was relegated after the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will play in the 2017/2018 Nigeria National League (NNL).

“Sanni’s appointment became necessary after the expiration of the contract of coach Henry Makinwa who is presently on disengagement leave in Spain.

“Makinwa’s contract was for two seasons, and it expired at the end of last season,’’ Chukwuemeka said.

He said Sanni’s wealth of experience earned him the job, and urged the club’s supporters to give him the needed support for the progress of the club.

NAN reports that Sanni had worked under the likes of Festus Onigbinde, the late Kafaru Alabi and late Amodu Shuaibu, Joe Erico, Clemens Westerhof and Fatai Amoo.

Sanni, an indigene of Ilorin in Kwara, holds a CAF `B’ coaching licence and is a graduate of Physical and Health Education from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife.

The ABS FC director of football said details of Sanni’s contract would be made available during his unveiling ceremony which would come up later.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

2017/2018 NPFL: Kwara United FC unveil 17 new players

NAN-S-15
Players
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Jan. 11, 2018 (NAN) Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Thursday unveiled 17 new players it recently signed on ahead of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the players were unveiled at a colourful ceremony held at the Kwara Sports Council premises in Ilorin.

At the occasion, the State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, charged the players and the club’s technical crew to take up the responsibility with utmost seriousness.

Ahmed, represented by the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Bolakale Ayo, advised them to see their recruitment as a win-win situation to develop themselves and further promote the club.

He assured them of putting in place a conducive atmosphere which would help to ensure the success of the club in the new season.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Kwara United Football Club, Oladimeji Thompson, said the club was ready to prosecute the league to the admiration of football stakeholders in the state.

Thompson called on all football stakeholders in the state to exploit the enormous benefits in the football game.

“I appeal to residents of the state to put aside differences and work collectively for the progress of team,’’ he said.
The Kwara United chairman thanked the state governor for the support given to the team at all times.

The new players include Babangida Ibrahim, an attacker from Nasarawa United, Chima Uluocha, a midfielder from Abia Warriors, and Chinedu Chukwu, a defender from Abia Comets.

Others are Kayode Agboola, an attacker from Shooting Stars, Mudashir Olamide from Kwara United Feeders and Musa Abdulateef, an attacker from Adamawa United.

Responding on behalf of the players, Aminu Abdulkadir, a midfielder who joined from Nasarawa United, assured that the team would not disappoint the people of the state.

“We have put in some necessary efforts to succeed when the league starts on Sunday across the country,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Kwara United chairman has assured that the team would honour their game in the opening week of the 2017/2018 NPFL on Sunday.

This will be in spite of the club’s unfortunate auto crash on Wednesday in Ibadan on their way from Lagos.

NAN reports that the team’s bus was involved in an auto crash at the Moniya area of Ibadan, which left three members of the team injured.(NAN)
OOH/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)