Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin has returned to the elite class of Nigerian professional football league following the three points and three goals the Nigeria National League (NNL) awarded it monday from the replayed Week 30 clash with Ranchers of Kaduna last Friday.

The NNL decision was contained in a letter addressed to the secretaries of Ranchers of Kaduna and Kwara United FC, yesterday titled, ‘Re: NNL Week 30 League Match (Ranchers Bees vs Kwara Utd FC), dated Dec. 22.’

The Appeal Committee of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), had ruled that the remaining 28 minutes left to be played when violence erupted in the first encounter between the two clubs in Kaduna be replayed.

The replay match held in Abuja on Friday, Dec.19, also ended abruptly barely with six minutes to end of regulation time, as irate fans invaded the pitch and unleashed mayhem on Referee Charles Ozigbo (from Anambra).

The centre referee had awarded a penalty to Kwara United in the 18th minute of the 28 minutes encounter before the fracas.
Commenting on the NNL decision yesterday, the General Manger of Kwara United FC, Alhaji Haruna Maigidansanma, described the Nigeria National League (NNL) decision to award  three points and three goals to the club as a relief.

Maigidansanma said the club can now forge ahead as it looks to beef up the team ahead of life in the elite division of the Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL).

The Secretary of the club, Dele Oguntokun, joined the club’s manager to commend the players for their concentration and doggedness in the rescheduled fixture.

They both commended football stakeholders in the state for their support and the state government for giving the team the needed support.

The NNL also banned three Ranchers Bees players and two officials for one year for attacking the centre referee.

With the development, Kwara United will now join Wikki Tourists to play in the Glo Premier League next season as the Ilorin team ended the race with 52 points from Group A of the NNL behind Wikki Tourists that topped the table with 55 points.