Nigeria Leagues
NPFL: Suleiman Ashifat leads Kwara United to win over Katsina United
By Dayo Awoniyi
Kwara United secured a crucial 1–0 win over Katsina United in Match Week 9 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), marking a significant upturn in form under new head coach Suleiman Ashifat, popularly known as “Brazil.”
The result, achieved on Sunday at the Rashidi Yekini Stadium in Ilorin, comes as a relief for the home side, following a poor run that included a home defeat to Abia Warriors — a loss that led to the suspension of former coach Tunde Sanni.
In just his third match in charge, Ashifat delivered his first league win, following a 1–1 draw with Wikki Tourists and a loss to Kano Pillars. His tactical adjustments were evident as the Harmony Boys showed renewed energy and discipline throughout the encounter.
The breakthrough came through Yahaya Ibrahim, who scored the game’s only goal with a composed finish, capitalizing on sustained pressure and a well-timed substitution that revitalized the attack.
Post-match, Coach Ashifat praised the squad’s performance and resilience.
“This result is a major step in the team’s revival. Our focus is to restore consistency and make the fans proud again,” he said.
“We’re recovering gradually from our early CAF Confederation Cup exit, and I believe this victory shows that the spirit is back.”
Yahaya Ibrahim, who was named Man of the Match, dedicated the win to the club’s management, teammates, and supporters.
“This is a team effort. We’ll keep working hard to make Kwara United great again,” he said.
The result lifts Kwara United’s morale as they look to improve their league standing and build on last season’s Federation Cup success.
The team now prepares for a tough away fixture against Rangers International in Enugu, aiming to maintain their upward momentum.
