League Board Decision On Match Against Ranchers Bees Marvelous, Says Kwara United Official

General Manager of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, Haruna Maigidansanma, says the decision of the Nigeria National League (NNL) on their Dec. 19 match is a big relief.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that NNL, in a letter to the Secretaries of Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna and Kwara United on Monday, had conveyed its decision.

It had awarded the match played in Abuja, but which was abandoned after 22 of its 28 minutes, to the Ilorin side.

It had also banned three players and two officials of the Kaduna club for one year.

NAN reports that the Appeals Committee of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) had earlier ruled that the remaining 28 minutes of the NNL Group A week 30 match be played in Abuja.

The earlier match in Kaduna had ended after 62 minutes, when violence erupted and the scoreline had stood at 2-2.

On Friday in Abuja, the match’s remnant had also ended abruptly with barely six minutes to go, after irate fans invaded the pitch and
attacked centre referee Charles Ozigbo from Anambra.

This was after he had awarded a penalty kick to Kwara United in the 20th minute of the game.

Maigidansanma, in his reaction to the NNL decision, told newsmen in Ilorin on Monday that the club could now forge ahead with its plans for the 2014/2015 season.

`Kwara United can now look towards beefing up the team ahead of life in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) next seaon,’’ he said.

Speaking also, the club’s secretary, Dele Oguntokun, commended their players for their concentration and doggedness in the rescheduled fixture.

He commended football stakeholders in the state for their support and the state government as well for giving the team the needed support.

NAN reports that Kwara United have now joined Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi in moving to the 2014/2015 Premier League from Group A

.