Date: 2016-10-27

The Coach of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Henry Makinwa has thanked the people of Kwara State for theirbprayers especially during the abandoned match day 13 Nigeria National League (NNL), game with Julius Atete.

Makinwa said this after his team defeated Julius Atete 1-0 in Abuja on Wednesday during remaining 11 minutes of the week 13 abandoned game.

It would be recalled that the Organising and Disciplinary O&D Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), awarded ABS 3 points and 3 goals as a result of an assault on the match officials and Saraki Boys and officials during the match day 13 encounter in Sapele, Delta State.

But in a swift reaction, J. Atete appealed the O&D judgement after which the Appeal Committee of the NFF upturned the O&D decision and ruled that the match's remaining 11 minutes when the game was abandoned be replayed in Abuja.

"I am absolutely delighted by today's victory, the boys were ready having in mind what a victory means within the 11 minutes played.

"Today's victory vindicated us, after the injustice decision they threw at us last week.

"I told my boys the decision was nothing and that they should remember they are born to play football, so they should go into the pitch and make themselves proud. "I want to thank the people of the state for their support, especially their prayers but it's not yet over until we are there" Makinwa said.

Ajibola Otegbeye scored from the spot kick in the 87th minute to give ABS a 1-0 victory in Abuja on Tuesday.

ABS will host Gateway FC of Abeokuta on Sunday in Ilorin, and a victory for them will put the Ilorin based side in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).