Kwara United Football Club encountered a frustrating outcome on Wednesday as they were held to a goalless draw by Doma United in Matchday 12 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The draw, deemed a ‘huge setback’ by Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo, comes after the team’s recent positive performances.
Despite entering the game with high spirits following a home win against Gombe United and a draw against Akwa United, Kwara United struggled to break down Doma United’s defence.
The away team, employing time-wasting tactics, successfully secured a point in the encounter.
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Doma United’s goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi, played a pivotal role in maintaining the team’s unbeaten run and extending his personal clean sheet record to eight games.
Osayi’s exceptional performance earned him a nomination for NPFL Player of the Month for November.
Coach Onigbinde of Doma United expressed satisfaction with the result, emphasizing that the team’s goal was to extend their unbeaten run and secure points on away ground. The draw aligns with their objective of qualifying for continental competitions.
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“It was a good game, and the result came out exactly how we wished it. Ahead of our visit, we studied Kwara United, and worked on their weaknesses and strengths, knowing fully well that they are one of the best sides in the league.
“Our target was to qualify for the continental competition, and picking a point this way, especially on away ground will assist our course in the long run,” He said.
Coach Dogo, however, criticized the referee for being lenient with Doma United’s time-wasting tactics and highlighted the challenges posed by the pitch.
Despite the setback, he remains determined to work towards the season’s objectives.
“The referee, I think, was too lenient with the visitors despite wasting too much time. In the first half alone, we played less than 30 minutes, as their players were falling all around the field. That’s negative football.
“And again, the pitch is not smooth enough for us to fully execute our well-known philosophy, but we will continue to work hard to achieve the set objectives for the season.”
Bernard Ovoke, delivering a standout performance, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match.
While expressing disappointment over the draw, Ovoke acknowledged the importance of securing a victory to enhance the team’s pursuit of its season goals.