Drama, pitch invasion as Kwara Utd draw FC Zamfara in Gusau

CROWD trouble and pitch invasion marred the Nigeria National League (NNL) week 7 encounter between FC Zamfara and Kwara United FC at the Sardauna Memorial Stadium in Gusau on Saturday.

The match which ended 1-1 saw players and officials of Kwara United held on hostage for about an hour until the security personnel came to escort the visitors to their vehicles and led them to their hotel.

The encounter saw the Harmony Boys dominating early proceedings, keeping the homers at bay and forcing their goalkeeper, Nura Mohammed to make early strings of saves.

The pressure on FC Zamfara yielded result in the 24th minute, when Yusuf Abubakar's cross was diverted into the net by Segun Alebiosu.

The goal may have woken FC Zamfara from their slumber, as they pushed hard for the equalizer, relying much on their fans' harassment of Kwara United FC.

The fans suspected to be supporting the home side ran into the pitch immediately after the half time whistle, holding the match officials and Kwara United FC players and officials hostage for close to 40 minutes, and delaying the resumption of the second half by 24 minutes.

Pressure and harrassment reduced a bit after they got the equaliser just three minutes into the second half.

The two teams struggled to get the winning goal without success, with goalkeeper Ismaila Shagari's brilliance making the difference for Kwara United FC.

With the draw, Kwara United FC now have 14 points from seven matches, as the first round of the Abridged 2015/2016 Nigeria National League ends.

The Technical Adviser of Kwara United FC, Coach John Sam Obuh, while appraising the team's performance in the first round said that the team performed well, even as he said the team will be beefed up ahead of the second round which he agreed, will be more crucial.

He commended the state government, the Ministry of Sports, the team's management, players and other officials, as well as the Fans, Supporters and the stakeholders for their support.

He however, reminded all that there is still more work to be done to achieve the objective set this season, which was to qualify for the Premier League.