When, in September 2019, a new set of management team was announced, concerns were raised, and that has always been the feature that accompanies such a ritual, for stakeholders to react, both negatively and positively, based on perceptions.

First, the courage and foresight of the Executive Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq must be saluted, in not only constituting the board, but also supporting the team to continue to blaze the trail.

The team was primed to compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the 2019/2020 football league season, but had a rise in status after just few matches in the second tier league, owing largely to the magnanimity of the state Governor, who approved the buying over of the Nigeria Professional Premier League (NPFL) slot of Delta Force, after ten matches into the NPFL season. The team however, had a rough season.

After coming out of that rough road unscathed, the lessons learnt was enough to raise the bar, beyond expectations.

It was against this backdrop, that the management defiled all odds, to assemble a team of relatively unknown but highly determined players, and the result of that exercise is evidenced with the team’s campaign in both the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. Kwara United rose from the path of uncertainty to absolute greatness. From playing with fear to playing with flair, from playing without hope to playing with hopefulness, and from just playing to playing with purposefulness.

The team would have ended the 2020/2021 season in the second position, with 65 points, and plus 20 goals difference.

However, the outcome of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at its meeting held on August 5th, 2021, as it concerns Matchday 34 fixture played on 21th July, 2021 at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna State, between Jigawa Golden Stars FC and Rivers United FC changed that narrative.

Rivers United FC had protested against the fielding of a player, Richard Christopher (Jersey number 8) by Jigawa Golden Stars FC in the match, on the grounds of ineligibility, having accumulated five (5) yellow cards during the season.

The NFF decision stated that Jigawa Golden Stars FC shall forfeit 3 points and 3 goals to Rivers United FC in respect of the match, for fielding an ineligible player in breach of C5 of the NPFL Rules.

The Appeal Committee of the NFF, few days later, adopted the ruling of the Disciplinary Committee, which therefore, placed Rivers United in the second position of the table, pushing Kwara United to the fourth position.

The obnoxious decision, which was ostentatiously kept till the last day of the league, favoured Rivers United FC at the expense of Kwara united FC, a team that has done everything right to win clean and clear on the pitch.

Kwara United Football Club recorded remarkable successes in the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Some the achievements included ending the first round of the season on top of the table.

The team did not lose any match at home, and this feat had been achieved by the club for a very long time. The feat was also sustained beyond the 2021/2022 season. And for the first time in several seasons, they did not fight relegation, as was the feature before now. The team completed the double over four clubs, Plateau United of Jos, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Katsina United FC and Adamawa United FC.

Kwara United FC were rated as one of the best playing teams, and were adjudged as a surprise package of the season by the stakeholders, especially on the backdrop of previous outings. Of the 20 NPFL teams for the 2020/21 NPFL season, Kwara United paraded one of the youngest squads, with Golden Eaglets’ Monday John and Sulaiman Mojeed, both U-17, registered for the season, among many records created.

The successes recorded so far can also be traced to the unity and friendly atmosphere in and around the team, and this averted the curse that ‘each year had led from bad to worse’ which people see as a common aphorism. The narratives have no doubt, changed, and can also be sustained with the arrangements on ground in the team.

For Kwara United FC under the current management, it’s been a campaign of purposefulness, laced with professionalism, which has brought a huge difference and a great departure from the past.

Just like every other season before now, objectives were drawn, targets set, aspirations kept, and hopes hinged on many variables, which importantly has to do with the caliber of players engaged, and the capacity of the technical bench.

This new found status will continue to bring more positive exploits for the team, especially as the management is expected to build on the positives recorded, while finding solution to the negative ones.

This management, going by records, inherited just five players, all of whom are average materials, while the others were on loan from other clubs. The first very major accomplishment that metamorphosed into the present characteristics known of the club has to do with investment in recruitments, and as of today, Kwara United owns all the players in its fold. Another very important factor that assisted the club’s cause was the prompt payment of salaries and allowances to the players and officials, even during Covid-19 period when there was no football action and the league was on break.

Also in the period under review, Kwara United have numerous of its players invited to the national teams, the U-17, U-20, U-23 and the home based Super Eagles.

The Club’s medical system was upgraded and ranks among the best so far, as players get rapid attention in cases of injuries or illnesses. The club also ranks among the best in observing Covid-19 protocols, as spelt out and adopted by the NFF and LMC. All these variables have strengthened its welfare system.

Just like the 2020/2021 season, the 2021/2022 season also started and ended positively for the team, as, against all odds, the club was considered to represent the nation in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Going down memory lane, Kwara United first played in the CAF inter-club competition in 1999/2000 season, losing out in the quarter-finals to Zamalek of Egypt.

In 2006/2007 season, the club came first in Group A of an abridged league, with 34 points, and ended up in third position after the Super Four played in Abuja. Ocean Boys won the Super Four, and joined second placed team to represent Nigeria in the Champions League, while Kwara United played in the Confederations Cup for coming third.

And 15 years after, the team was back in the continent after the 2021/2022 season, despite finishing fourth on the 2021/2022 NPFL table, just to beat the CAF registration deadline, as the Aiteo Cup was not concluded on time. The team gave good account of itself in the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, losing out in the First Round to the defending champions, RS Berkane of Morocco, who are also the Champion of Champions in Africa on away goal rule, after ending it 3-3 apiece. The team had earlier dusted AS Douanes of Niger Republic out of the competition clinically, after a three goal aggregate scores.

Apart from engaging tested players, the team also employed strong technical crew, led by Coach Abdullahi Biffo at the initial stage, and currently, Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed. These are part of the ingredients that has continued to add value to the team, and which, the management will never compromise.

The hopes and prospect of achieving more successes and also breaking new grounds are high, especially with the policy that guarantees the management some level of longevity and independence.

With the Kwara United Football Club Management Corporation Law in place, the management has some level of independence at least for a period of four years, as spelt out in the law. The present management was appointed in September 2019, and will benefit from the Management Bill signed into law on May 24th, 2019.

Before now, just like it was easy for the team to go on relegation, so was it easy to change management even at the slightest record of a single game loss. That obviously gave room for inconsistency in the club’s campaign in the league, as the so called aggrieved stakeholders always undermine support for the team getting good results even at home, just to get rid of those in charge as at that time.

The last two seasons will also go down in history as the best in terms of cordial relationship among the various components of stakeholders, because of the professional way things were done. The Supporters and Fans Club also worked together to complement the efforts of the management, players and officials.

For Kwara United, its a period of hope, and a period of great prospect, under Kumbi Titiloye, a Sports Promoter and Marketer. Kumbi was born on July 30th, 1968, and hails from Oro, in Irepodun Local Government Area of the State.

He was a former player. He played for NNPC FC in 1982, Coca-Cola FC of Kaduna between 1083 and 1984, and was in University of Ilorin football team between 1986 to 1990. He also played for Sporting Hackney in UK.

The excellent facilitator and solution provider was the Administrator of Kwara Football Academy (KFA) between 2010 to 2012, and during that period, successfully got three players professional contracts in Europe, following a 10-day training tour to Belgium for the Academy team. KFA under him also won the 2011 NNPC/Shell Cup competition for All Nigeria Secondary Schools. He was also instrumental to taking the KFA team to Italy on two-week training and match tour. He also developed players that dominate the Nigeria league.

Under Titiloye, the rebuilding and rebranding processes of our darling club, Kwara United Football Club is being championed towards meeting the required pedestal for business opportunities, away from the usual social services. It’s also coming at a time the government is desperately seeking to find alternative financial windows to push the club to the next level. Even before the conclusion of the 2021/2022 season, players like Junior Lokosa, Samad Kadri, Alao Danbani, Ejeh Isaiah and others have gotten foreign offers, and are doing well in their various clubs. More will follow, in the nearest future.

Kwara government’s support and backing is key to the attainment of the new found status of the team, which is arguably one of the symbols of unity for the state.

By Jimoh Bashir from Ilorin

Kwara United this evening, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, defeated African champions, RS Berkane 3-1 in the First Leg, First Round match of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The visitors shocked Kwara United by scoring their first and only goal in the match as early as 7th minutes into the highly exosive encounter, with Kwara United FC forced to pick up themselves immediately, but couldn’t hitvthe back of the net despite creating several chances in the first half.

Cheick Ouattara of RS Berkane drew the first blood in the tension soaked and action packed cracker to give the Moroccan club early advantage and early bragging right, but Kwara United rose up to the occasion.

Super-sub, Taofeek Ahmed levelled up for the Harmony Boys in the 72nd minutes, after buldozzing his way into the defence, after connecting a pass from Adeshina Gata, to splash home at close range.

Wasiu Jimoh increased the tally for Kwara United in the 80th, as he curled in from outside the box. Bernabas Daniel made it three for the Harmony in 88th minute, to the surprise of fans at the stadium.

Speaking after thematch, Coach Mohammed Azeez of Kwara United commended his boys for rising up to the challenge, despite the early scare.

He praised them for their determination to emerge victorious against the stubborn RS Berkane, noting that they will consolidate on the feat in the return leg next week.

Coach Azeez added that even thought Kwara United FC won, its not yet over, as the second leg in Berkane, Morocco will finally determine which of the two will go through.

He however, expressed confidence that his team will make it to the Group stage. The return leg holds in Berkane, Morocco on Saturday October 14th, 2022.

According to a family source, the Golden Eaglets assistant coach has communicated his resignation to the management of the Nigeria National League (NNL) side.

“He has communicated his decision to leave Vandrezzer FC to the club management. It was a tough decision, he loves the Vandrezzer FC project and he has been committed and professional since he joined the team.

“He has to leave to focus on his future, also Vandrezzer FC can make their coaching decision. He is making the sacrifices because he wishes the club success,” the source divulged.

Olanrewaju joined Vandrezzer FC in 2021 and he was part of the historical squad that won the club’s first title, when they emerged as Lagos FA Cup champions last year.

He was announced as the club’s Interim head coach when he returned from the 2022 U17 WAFU Cup in June. He was able to stabilize the team and retained their NNL status.

The former Crown FC and Kwara United midfielder has previously worked at MFM FC and Magate FC.

Kwara United FC will square up against the Niamey-based side in the return leg of the ongoing 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup competition on Sunday, with their nose in front owing to the 3-0 first leg win.

But for Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed, it’s not over, until it’s finally over.

“We will try to go and get qualification in Niamey, because the job is not done yet. We still have crucial 90 minutes ahead of us. We will go there and play to get the ticket to the next stage.

“Our targets are to play and earn a clean sheet, and also qualify. We are going there to attack, and that’s why I told my strikers to ensure that any ball that comes to them counts.

“We got three goals in the first leg, all goals coming in the first half, and I will say it’s normal in African perspective. We are trying to change the mentality of the players, because, we are supposed to get more than three goals in the match.

“In Niamey, my players will need to keep their heads, and play according to our plan and targets. We have trained hard ahead of the battle of Niamey”, he concluded.

The match will hold at the Stade General Senyi Kountche, and the winner over the two legs to play Morrocan side, Berkane, in the next stage.

Remo Stars defeated Kwara United in the second semifinal game to seal their spot in the final 4-2 via penalties after the dramatic game ended 1-1 at duration time.

The newly promoted NNL side, Smart City will battle the CAF Confederation Cup campaigner, Remo Stars in the grand finale on Friday at 3pm.

“I want to congratulate the two clubs that made it to the final, and we are looking forward to an explosive final. We appreciate all the clubs that participated in the tournament, they made the tournament competitive. I love the passion and emotion of the clubs and their sportsmanship behavior,” said Chairman of the ValueJet Cup organizing committee, Otunba Tade Azeez. 

Smart City walked over Vandrezzer FC in the first semifinal game due to a sponsorship agreement with ValueJet Airline.

“ValueJet Airline are the premium sponsor of the tournament, and we must protect our agreement. The first communication to all the clubs was an invitation letter, and we invited 18 clubs to participate in the tournament. 10 clubs responded to our invitation and we invited all the clubs to our unveiling ceremony of our sponsor and the draw which was the platform we used to communicate the framework and sponsorship terms to all the clubs.

“We informed the clubs about the clause in our agreement with ValueJet Airline that all participating clubs would play with a branded jersey at the ceremony. Vandrezzer FC just like the other 9 clubs had a representative at the ceremony, we informed the clubs that the ceremony was important to clarify the rules and benefits of the tournament. We presented the jersey to Vandrezzer FC officials at the ceremony and they accepted our sponsorship terms which include the appearance fee and prize monies. 

“They (Vandrezzer) communicated to us after playing with the jersey in the first game without any issue and we further explain to them about the agreement with our sponsor. They had the opportunity to pull out of the tournament after the sponsor ceremony, we had the clubs and Airline management present at the ceremony in case of any dispute but we had none.

“We apologize to the football fans that came to the stadium to enjoy the game and those watching via our YouTube channel. We regret the unfortunate incident, we must protect the framework and sponsorship terms of the tournament after official communication to all the clubs. We understand and respect Vandrezzer’s decision to discontinue the game and we wish them success,” Tade added. 

Kwara United have appointed experienced Mohammed Azeez as the new Head Coach for the new Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season, onwardnews24.com can report.

As disclosed at the unveiling ceremony held on Wednesday in Ilorin by the club’s chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, Coach Mohammed will be heading the technical department of the Ilorin based club.

Azeez has had an illustrious playing career with Ranchers Bees, Kaduna United and later Gombe United including some other North African club sides.

With his CAF B license, he is also reputed to have handled Hilal Al-Fasher before coming back to Nigeria to join Katsina United.

Azeez Mohammed has also managed clubs like Shabab Nasir, Almaurad, Alamir Bahrawi, Hayyal Wadi Nyala, Alamal Athbara and Wad Hashim Sinnar.

Titiloye urged the new coach to produce positive results, while assuring the management’s commitment to ensure that all the materials the club will be needing are provided.

Responding, Coach Azeez Mohammed promised to do his best to ensure that the club perform well under his watchful eyes.

It is no longer a news to the world that Kwara United will be playing continental football this year, but the joy of the announcement remains in the hearts of Kwarans most especially the diehard lovers of the team.

On Sunday, CAF released the names of all teams that will campaign in this year’s competition and the name of Kwara United appeared on the list of those that will feature in the Confederations Cup.

It is a massive achievement for the administration of Governor Abdulrahman considering his huge investment in football and sports since he became Governor which has finally yielded.

In this report, respected and award winning Sports Journalist, Ibitoye Shittu, reviews the investment of Governor Abdulrahman on Kwara United which helped in landing the Continental ticket.

Acquiring NPFL ticket for Kwara United

When Mallam Abdulrahman became the Governor of Kwara, he met the State’s darling team already relegated into the second division of the Nigerian Football.

And in his efforts and desires to make Kwarans happy, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq acquired an NPFL ticket for the Harmony Boys and the team returned to the topflight with fans expressing their happiness.

And ever since Kwara United returned to the topflight, Governor Abdulrahman ensured that the team lacks nothing and always support them financially.

Presenting two new coaster buses

As a way of easing the challenges in the transportation of players to match venues across the nation, Governor Abdulrahman in the last three years has presented two new coaster buses to the team.

Drama and pains of last two seasons

Last two seasons in the NPFL, the expectation of all Kwarans was that Kwara United would play continental football, but the boardroom points given to Rivers United broke the hearts of Kwara United faithfuls.

However, Governor Abdulrahman encouraged the management, coaching crew and players to fight again last term and they eventually finished 4th and picked the Confederations Cup ticket.

It is safe and worthy to say that Governor Abdulrahman has returned Kwara United to the continent after 11 years since the club last played in the competition and he deserves massive accolades.

Furthermore, there are other soldiers of Governor Abdulrahman whose contributions to this latest success for Kwara United cannot be overemphasized.

SA Sports Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim

Kwarans have been in joyous mood since Attahiru was named as the SA Sports to Governor Abdulrahman considering how he has been helping people in Kwara Sports.

Attahiru in his love for Kwara United and ways of motivating the players will always present cash gift ranging from 200K after each game.

Kumbi Titiloye

Kumbi Titiloye landed the job as Kwara United Chairman based on his wealth of experience in football both in Nigeria and abroad.

The Oro born football administrator made sure that the coaching crew recruited good players which gave Kwara United the continental success.

Abdullahi Biffo

Abdullahi Biffo has recorded his name in gold as the Kwara United coach who returned the team to Continental football. He is also the coach with the highest number of away wins in the League in the history of Kwara United which is 4.

Biffo in his 3-year stint as Kwara United coach also brought stability to the team and he did not lose any home game in the NPFL.

He also took away the fears of relegation from the minds of Kwarans as Kwara United is now a team feared by all other NPFL campaigners.

The players

The players are the primary actors that brought the continental success and they all must be celebrated and appreciated for lifting their heads up despite many troubles they faced before the end of the season.

The Kwara FA

The Kwara State Football Association Chairman Mallam Idris Musa Turaya also played important roles in making sure that there was full compliances to instructions from the LMC and made sure that Kwara United were not banished away from Ilorin.

He also supported the management of Kwara United in many activities towards getting success.

Kwara fans and media

Kwara fans must be appreciated for their 100 percent love and support for Kwara United and also the Kwara SWAN must be praised for their excellent and massive coverage of Kwara United games both home and away.

The striker pulled a total 62.2% of the votes from the poll to beat (Midfielder) Afeez Noshiru, (Defender) Ayodeji Bamidele and (Striker) Samad Kadiri to emerge winner of award.

Chairman of Kwara United Kumbi Titiloye, ABS Ilorin FC Director Of football and Secretary NPFL club owners association Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, Ace Sports Broadcaster (The Dean Of Sports) Bayour Issah alongside other football stakeholders in the state were all present during the award presentation held at the Kwara United secretariat inside the Kwara State Complex Stadium Ilorin on Monday 8th August 2022.

Alao Dabani becomes the third winner of SportsFlames Award after Onuwa Chukwuka who won the first edition and Adeyinka Najeem who won the second edition both at MFMFC while Alao Danbani becomes the first to win it with Kwara United.

Reacting after receiving the award, Alao Danbani stated that it was the first award in his career that it is an award he will forever cherish however thanking the Organisers for giving him something he would never forget in the future.

” This is the first award I would be receiving in my career, I am so happy because it is something to remember for the future, I want to as well thank the organisers for making this happen”, he said.

Also reacting was Olatoye Olawale, managing partner of SportsFlames Communications and General Manager SGFC Athletics Sports Club who rolled out the concept for the award.

” It started in 2017 this was an idea we sat down to deliberate upon and we felt it would be nice that we reward players for their exceptional performance in the past”, He said.

” We started with MFM Football Club in 2017 and we had four nominees for the award with Chukwuka Onuwa emerging the winner of the first edition, we were supposed to have it the following season but due to the World Cup Russia 2018 the league was suspended we could not hold it and the following season again we had the coronavirus outbreak so we still could not hold it. But we came back stronger last season when Adeyinka Najeem won it and here again we are having it in Kwara United so we can say officially that we’ve done three editions.

We have a vision attached with a mission to always reach a destination so if we do anything we are not always surprised as much it may be we are always excited to see the players happy when you reward them for their individual brilliance”, he concluded.

Alao Danbani scored Nine goals in past season and helped Kwara United finish 4th on the NPFL log which has qualified them for a continental football next season.

Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has boosted the morale of the star’s darling team, Kwara United Football Club, ahead of the team’s last home game of the season against MFM FC of Lagos in Ilorin.

A statement by the Club, made available by the Media Team indicated that the management has secured approval to pay all the debts owed during the cause of prosecuting it’s matches, especially in the second round of the season.

Confirming the development, the club Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye thanked the Governor for the sustained support to the team, adding that the team will reciprocate the gesture with a continental ticket at the end of the season.

“Our Governor has just approved money to clear all the debts owed in the cause of prosecuting our league matches, and we must not but be grateful, because it will help us focus on the challenges ahead.

“It’s a commendable feat by the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. We thank all our Supporters, Fans, stakeholders and followers all over the world for their support.

Kwara United FC is currently fourth on the table with 55 points from 36 matches, and a strong prospect of picking one of the continental slots at the end of the last match against Heartland FC in Owerri next weekend.

“A win against MFM in Ilorin is crucial to our continental target, and this wonderful gesture by Governor AbdulRazaq will be an added motivation for the players and officials”, Kumbi added.

Ahead of Sunday’s match-day 37 encounter between Kwara United Football Club and MFM FC, the Kwara Central Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s polls, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has purchased three thousand tickets for football fans to cheer the Harmony Boys to victory.

Continually, Mustapha also pledged to pay the winning bonus of the duel to all Kwara United players should they emerge victorious in the tie against the Lagos based side.

The NPFL game which is the last home tie of Kwara United FC in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), is to encourage the club to secure the CAF continental ticket.

Kwara United are currently occupying fourth position on the NPFL log with 55 points from 36 games and they are expected to win their two remaining matches of the week 37 against MFM this Sunday and week 38 away match against Heartland FC of Owerri next Sunday to stand a chance of picking continental ticket.

“It’s my believe that having the stadium filled with fans will go a long way to motivate the players to victory and that is why I agreed with the Management Board of Kwara United Football Club to purchase Match Day Tickets for Three Thousand Club Supporters and also foot the payment of Winning Bonuses to our players for the last Home Match against MFM FC on Sunday 10 July, 2022 at the Main Bowl of Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin in our Quest to Qualify for CAF Continental Ticket.

“As a sports loving person, I will always support our darling club and encourage our youths especially sports lovers to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and ultimately participate in the 2023 general elections,” Mustapha said.

While reacting to the gesture and support, the Chairman of Kwara United FC, Kumbi Titiloye, appreciated Mallam Mustapha for identifying with the club, and also complementing the efforts of the state government on the team.

Titiloye also seized the opportunity to commend the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, his Board members and other stakeholders for their support to the team.