Kwara United Football Club on Sunday drew 1-1 with visiting Rangers International of Enugu in a 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture.

The Match Day 5 fixture was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

Samuel Chisom put Kwara United in the driving seat from a bicycle kick in the 31st minute.

Ossy Martins drew the visitors level with a well-timed header to a corner-kick in the 49th minute to ensure the hosts dropped their first points at home this season.

Christopher Nwaeze missed an opportunity to restore the hosts’ lead by missing from the penalty spot after a Rangers defender handled the ball in the 65th minute.

The hosts were given two anxious moments in the closing minutes, which could have handed the visitors all the points at stake.

A long-range shot went off target with goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba off his line, while he saved with a last-gasp heroic at the near-post just a minute to end the game.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Kwara United’s coach Abdullahi Biffo expressed hope in the ability of his side to perform better in subsequent matches.

He noted that the Rangers were also a better side with quality players.

“This result is not a disappointment to my team, especially when we consider the numbers of matches that would still be played this season in the league,” the coach said.

Abdul Makaiba, the chief coach of Rangers, praised both sides for their display of football artistry. He, however, added that the league was still young to start talking about who the champions would be.

However, the coach said his side were lucky to draw level with their hosts in the early part of the second half.

Maikaba nonetheless praised his players for putting up a good fight towards the end of the game.

After the draw, Kwara United are now in the fifth position on the league table, with eight points and a +3 goals difference.

Next Sunday, Kwara United will be in Port Harcourt to take on Rivers United in an NPFL Match Day 6 fixture.

(NAN)