Kwara United FC head coach, Ashifat Suleiman, has pointed to "hard luck" as the primary reason for his team's 1-0 defeat against Ikorodu City FC on Sunday.

The Matchday 21 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, was decided early when Ikorodu City’s Samuel Ezekiel found the back of the net in the 5th minute. Ezekiel capitalized on a well-placed cross from Gift Udoh to head home the only goal of the match.

Despite the early setback, the Harmony Boys dominated much of the proceedings afterward. Akeem Akanni nearly leveled the score late in the first half with a powerful strike, while Johnmark Atule the team's leading scorer this season narrowly missed the target on the rebound.

"This is a difficult period, but we will overcome it," Suleiman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following the final whistle. "We were unlucky not to get at least a point. We are at a critical stage of the season and need full support from our fans."

The loss leaves Kwara United in a precarious 16th position on the NPFL table with 24 points from 21 games, hovering just above the relegation zone. Conversely, the victory propels Ikorodu City to 3rd place as they continue their impressive run in the top flight.

Kwara United will now look to regroup as they prepare for a midweek home fixture against league leaders Rivers United on Wednesday, January 21, at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin.