Stephen Jude scored a spectacular goal from a long range in the 8th minute as Kwara United beat 10-men Warri Wolves 2-0 on Sunday in Ilorin to return to the summit.
The result means Kwara United are back to the top of the log with 25 points from 13 games pending the outcome of Enyimba and Rivers United respective outstanding games.
The MatchDay 13 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter which was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin had the hosts dominating throughout the first half of the the match.
Kwara United’s coach, Abdullahi Biffo, made three changes to the squad that drew 1-1 with Abia Warriors on Wednesday in Ilorin.
Muhammed Aliyu replaced Muri Lawal in defense, Brazilian, Alves Lucas, made his first start of the campaign and came in for Olawale Farayola while Samuel Chisom took the place of Joshua Agboola in the heart of the midfield.
Lucas made an instant impact on the game when his shot hit the post after just 35 seconds in the match.
Jide Fatokun’s attempt in the 21th minute to finish a Kwara United’s smart move ended with a vital block by a Warri Wolves’ defender to deny the hosts.
While Kwara United dominated all through the first stanza, Warri Wolves defended well to limit their deficit to a single goal going into the break.
The visitors returned better than the hosts and threatened Kwara United most times with forward surges.
But it was the hosts who got on goal when Michael Ohanu connected Muhammed Aliyu’s perfect cross to nod beyond the reach of Pwadadi Bulus in goal for Warri Wolves in the 56th minute.
Two minutes later, Ohanu missed another opportunity to grab a brace from close range after connecting a low cross inside the 6 yard box.
The introduction of Daniel Ijeh and Lucus Ozioma for Sunday Williams and Efe Yarhere in the 65th minute for Warri Wolves increased the pressure on the hosts.
Dele Aiyenugba was called to make a vital one-on-one save in the 70th minute as Warri Wolves grew into the game, pegging their hosts to their half.
Kwara United’s Christopher Nwaeze was booked in the 78th minute for a rash challenge on Warri Wolves’ player. He will miss the MatchDay 14 fixture away to Wikki Tourists.
Warri Wolves’ Innocent Orukpe was twice booked in the 63rd and 82nd minutes, thus shrinking his side’s numbers on the field to 10-men.
