KWARA State governor, Mallam Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman, was among the dignitaries, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium, Lagos, on Sunday to boost Kwara United as the Nigerian team spanked AS Douanes of Niger Republic 3-0 in the first leg, preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The governor who was clad in brown ‘guinea’ brocade with a face mask watched in joy as the Harmony Warriors pumped in all the goals in the first half of the game.
Samson Paul opened the scoring for the Nigerian team when he tapped home Wasiu Jimoh’s effort five minutes into the game.
Wasiu Jimoh made it in the 17th minute when he converted a spot kick awarded after a player of AS Douanes was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the vital area.
Four minutes before half time, Wasiu made it a brace when his trickish close range grounder beat goalkeeper Omar Halidou.
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The Harmony Warriors however, wasted a pocket of chances in the last half, but were good enough to end the game with a clean sheet ahead of the reverse fixture in Niamey on Sunday.
Chairman, Kwara State Football Association, Malam Idris Musa Abdullahi, lauded Kwara United for the victory, as he described the result as astonishing.
He said the FA would not relent in its efforts in making sure that United advance to the next round of the competition.
“The win is for our executive governor [ Mallam Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman] and all Kwarans at home and in diaspora. Its a pure indication that the Kumbi Titiloye-led board has emphatically proved that Kwara is capable of achieving greater feats in football with the help of the executive governor.
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“The FA on our part, will not relent in making this a reality with the support of all Stakeholders,” said Idris who was in Lagos to monitor the match.
Meanwhile, the Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria have commended all the four Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Competitions for their performances so far.
Rivers United in the CAF Champions League Rivers equally spank Watanga FC of Liberia 3-0 in Port Harcourt while Plateau United played a 2-2 draw in Gabon against Stade Mandji FC.
Also in the CAF Confederation Cup, Remo Stars came back from Morocco with a 1-1 draw against ASFAR.
“The results were good for the four NPFL clubs and they deserve our commendations,” said the Club Owners body in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Barrister Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka.
The Association charged the four clubs to use the second leg games to consolidate their results and move to the next round.
Kwara United face As Douanes on Sunday at the Général Seyni Kountché Stadium Stade Municipal de Niamey in the return leg tie.