Date: 2012-05-30

Segun Atere, the skipper of the Ilorin-based Kwara United FC, on Monday pledged to win the ongoing Premier League trophy  to justify the Kwara Government's financial support to the club. 

Atere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the players were determined to put more efforts in their remaining league matches to ensure they won the league.

Atere said the government's financial  support  to the club had enhanced their performances, as shown in the victories against Kano Pillars, Sunshine and Gombe United.

''It is the determination. You know  when we look at the log and we see where we were, we talked to ourselves that this is not our normal position.

''Naturally, the 20 teams started together, but Kwara United, for the past two to three seasons now  had always be at the top.

''We called ourselves to order especially with the motivations of the management and coach;  that is why we just put a little effort,'' said the team captain.

He said the players were motivated by  the governor's approval to settle the outstanding sign-on fees for the team.

NAN reports that the governor recently approved the  sum of  N186 million to settle in full the sign-on fees for the players and their officials.

The team is now  on  the fifth position  from its former 15th position on the league table.

The Afonja Warriors, as the Club is fondly called by its fans, are now level on 40 points with Kano Pillars from 27 matches, with the Pillars having a game at hand.