Kwara United head coach Kabiru Dogo says the Enugu Rangers were very lucky to get a draw during Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 4 tie at Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin.
The Flying Antelopes raced to a 34th-minute lead courtesy of a Kazeem Ogunleye’ drilled free kick from the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Suleiman Salihu had no answer to after Kalu Nweke had been fouled as he dribbled his way towards a promising position.
Kwara United almost drew level from the re-start, but brave defending by Kalu Nweke ensured that the Enugu side went into the break with a slim lead.
Alao Mohammed drew the home side level on 56 minutes after being left unmarked by Rangers players and latched onto an inch-perfect pass to blast past enterprising Japhet Opubo.
The Afonja Warriors pressed on for the winner but met a brick wall in the person of Opubo, who produced countless saves to ensure that the spoils of the encounter were shared.
In his post-match reaction, Dogo said the visitors didn’t deserve the point.
“Rangers were very lucky to get the draw. They did not deserve it, but that is football for you,” said a disappointed Dogo.
His Rangers counterpart, Fidelis Ilechukwu, was delighted to come away with a share of the spoils, describing the encounter as very entertaining and a good advertisement for the NPFL.
He said, “It was a very good match against a quality side, and we are happy with the outcome of the encounter. We had opportunities to wrap up the game in the first stanza but could not utilise them, which gave them the courage to come out in the second stanza. My players did well to contain all that they threw at us, and we celebrated the draw like a win. We go back home to prepare for our next match against Kano Pillars, and hopefully, we shall consolidate on this result today in Ilorin.”
Rangers currently place third on the log with seven points from four matches. They will next play host to the Kano Pillars, led by their immediate past gaffer, coach Abdul Maikaba, at the Awka City Stadium on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Matchday 4 Results
21-10-2023
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22-10-2023
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15-11-2023
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15:00 |
SOURCE: GLOBALSPORTS