NPFL24: Kwara United Tackles Sunshine Stars In Test-run Game At Main-Bowl New Pitch

NPFL24: Kwara United Tackles Sunshine Stars In Test-run Game At Main-Bowl New Pitch  

By Emmanuel Chinedu 

Kwara United has been scheduled to file out against Sunshine Stars on Wednesday, at the Main Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The match is part of the preparations for both teams ahead of the commencement of the 2023-2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and for Kwara United, it's more than just the game.

The team last played inside the 18,000-capacity facility constructed in 1977 in the 2021/2022 season and on a synthetic surface. They will be returning home for the 2023-2024 season, and play now on a natural grass surface, and with their fans in the stands.

The team played all its home matches in the 2022/2023 season in both Ibadan and Akure, following the re-grassing of the pitch, which was being bankrolled by Barrister A. U. Mustapha.

The match against Sunshine will also be used to experiment with crowd control, and match coverage, especially with the GTI coverage system, security pattern, and observance of other NPFL protocols, ahead of the team's first home match against Abia Warriors. 

And for Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo, it's yet another opportunity to expose his wards to a grade a test, before the commencement of the 2023/24 NPFL hostilities. 

Kwara United FC had earlier played Sunshine Stars in Ijebu-Ode, where they also played two other friendly matches before they participated in the 2023 ValueJet Pre-Season Tournament in Ikenne, where they lost out at the semi-final stage. 

The team also played local friendly matches in Ilorin, before jetting out to Benin Republic, where they engaged both Cavaliers FC of Nikki and Buffles FC of Parakou, at the Stade Omnisports de Nikki, last month.

With days to the commencement of the season, the Sunshine Stars match on Wednesdays means a lot to Kwara soccer fans, at least watching their team against another NPFL rival which will more or less, serve as the celebration of the return of the league action to Ilorin.