By Yusuf Mutiu Olaitan
On the first match day of 2021 Nigeria Professional Football league season, Kwara United went to Plateau United and defeated them right at their backyard by two goals to nil. We all took positivities from the result. Yes, it’ was worth it. We have just humbled the Champions of the country. But deep inside us, we thought it was a flash in the plan. We knew Kwara United to be not so consistent, but they disappoined the larger chunk of people – fans, enthusiast, stakeholders, suppprters, and populace.
For the first time in seventeen years, our darling club Kwara United are back on the top of the league summit. Incredible, isn’t it? At current form, The Harmony boys have not lost so many matches in the league, playing the biggest of teams in the country MFM, Sunshine, Nasarawa United, Ifeanyi Ubah, Enyimba, and lots of them. Sublime! Who said we can’t be champions this season for the first time in the history of our darling club!
Now we take a look at some of what is culminating this success story we’re having on our hands;
Government
Off the pitch, the Government has been very solid in her support for this team from the time they bought the NPFL ticket for the team after playing just one Nigeria National League NNL match in the division. Since then, they have been very consistent with the salary payment, bonuses to players and the coaching crew has been very key. It was confirmed that a subvention in the region of 30 million naira was paid to the team after so many years of expectancy. Kudos to the present administration.
Gaffer;
Forget the fact that coach Abdullahi Biffo is a type that won’t face the media so often, when he was brought in, we all trusted his experience, and his CV speaks for him. In fact, one of the best tactician we have in this country. I listened to one of his post match interview in Ilorin where he was discussing United’s next three opponents. That’s so unimaginable, you won’t find so many coaches does that, at least, not in the NPFL. Whatever Biffo is doing to that group of lads, we urge him to continue. They are giving us harmony!
The Star Men;
Whoever players that has played a minute or less for the team this season is automatically a star man. Every players exploit is very well appreciated —-but there are some that have been standout performers;
Dele Aiyenugba
We knew Dele will bring experience, quality, steel, and leadership into the team, and that’s what he has done. He has commanded his back line so well. He’s kept lots of clean sheet. Dele has shown that he was one time goalkeeper of the national team with his calmness and decisiveness between the stick. Solid!
Afeez Nosiru
This is a lad I call “pit bull”. Very dogged, tenacious, rugged, and stable. Afeez is the nexus between the defence and the attack. As a midfielder, Afeez is given United what we had in Seyi Olofinjana. Steady!
Jide Fatokun
Arguably the best player for the team this season, maybe Dele Aiyenugba come close. The flavor and the fluidity in the midfield every time United are in action can never be taken away from Fatokun. Decent, skillful, visionary, agile, and purposeful. Whenever he’s holding onto the ball, we’re always hopeful that something positive may come out of it. Maestro!
On and on, one can go pointing out why everything has been working perfectly. It’s on this note that TALK SPORTS WITH STURARO wants to advise the Government, Manager, and the players of the team not to get complacent. It’s never finish until it’s finished. It’s never an albatross if we sit on top of the summit at the end of the season.
Even though recently, Kwara United have not been so consistent when they play at home. This baffles me. As in, there is not that team that will win a league with bad run of form at home – especially, when you’re a team in the NPFL. Coach Abdullaji Biffo needs to look inward, go back to the drawing board, and organize what’s needed to be organized whenever we’re playing at home. You can’t be getting important points away from home while you continue to falter at home. That singular act will not project you aas serious contender – rather pretender.
We need to pick the maximum points at home and continue with the impressive run of form whenever we play away. Then, and only then, people would take us serious. Hope!
Up Harmony Boys!
