Kwara United F.C.

Kwara United F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Ilorin. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigeria Premier League after spending 2008-09 in the Nigeria National League. Their home stadium is the Kwara State Stadium, but will play some of the 2010/11 season in Offa and Abeokuta as the ground is being renovated.

History

The club started as the Kwara Water Corporation football club in 1974. It was supposed to be an in-house club for the staffers of the Water Corporation. Due to the results and depth of talents in the club, the scope was opened and by 1979 qualified to play in the National League second division alongside the First Bank F.C. of Lagos. That same year, the club got to the quarter-final stage of the Football Association Cup (otherwise called the Challenge Cup) where she lost to Bendel Insurance football club of Benin 2-1. In 1985, due to the change in the name of the parent corporation to Kwara Utility Board, the club changed its name to Kwara Utility Bombers Of Ilorin. It was relegated to division three at the end of that season. With the disengagement of the parent corporation from financing the team in 1990, the club adjusted its name to Kwara Bombers football club of Ilorin. It suffered financial stress, which culminated in her relegation to division three in 1996. The new state government led by Colonel Per Asum Ogar led the purchase in March 1997 of the Exide Club of Ibadan, moved them to Ilorin and took their slot in the Second Division. Ogar christened the new outfit Kwara United Football Club Of Ilorin.

The club's Acting Chairman is Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, who is the Governor of Kwara's Special Assistant on Sports. The club came third at the end of the 2006 Super Four play-off behind Ocean Boys and Nasarawa United FC and qualified for the 2007 edition of the CAF Confederation Cup . The coaching staff for the 2006-07 season included Swedes Roger Palmgren and Johan Eriksson (son of former England and Mexico manager, Sven Goran Eriksson). The team was coached former players of the team: Toyin Ayinla, Tunde Sanni and Aliyu Muzambilu (Goalkeeper trainer) following the passing of Technical Adviser Kafaru Alabi on January 8, 2008. However they were relegated from the Premier League on the last day of the 2007/08 season on goal differential. They regained promotion back to the top level the next years as Champions of Division 1-A.

The team appointed an Investment Consultant, Goldenwing33 Nigeria Limited, headed by former Nigerian international and former deputy editor (Sports) of Thisday newspaper, Olajide Fashikun. The Investment Consultant is to organise the privatisation and private sector participation in the club's funding in two years. The fans of the club have one of the worst reputations in Nigeria, as witnessed during a vicious beating of the referees after a 0-0 tie in 2008.

Club Names

• 1974-85: Kwara Water Corporation football club
• 1985-90: Kwara Utility Bombers of Ilorin
• 1990-97: Kwara Bombers Football Club of Ilorin
• 1997-: Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin

Achievements

• Nigerian Premier League: 1

2006 Regular Season champions, 3rd in Super Four Play-off

• National Second Division: 1

1997

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Confederation Cup: 1 appearance

2007 - Group Stage

• CAF Cup: 1 appearance

1994 - Semi-Finals

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Reserve Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Famous Former Players

Former Chairmen

• Alhaji Zakari Mohammed
• Colonel Per Asum Ogar
• Mr J. A. Fakayode

Former coaches

• Kafaru Alabi
• Toyin Ayinla
• Johann Eriksson
• Kosta Papić
• Roger Palmgren

External links

• Official Site