ABS Ilorin FC Edge Kwara United 1-0 to Round off Preseason Programme

ABS Ilorin FC Edge Kwara United 1-0 to Round Off Preseason Programme

Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC rounded off their preseason programme on a winning note after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kwara United on Tuesday evening.

The encounter, played at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl, George Innih Stadium, Ilorin, saw the Saraki Boys claim bragging rights over their city rivals ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

An early fourth-minute strike from Abdulqudari Dosunmu proved decisive, as Festus Allen's men held on to secure an encouraging victory against the Harmony Boys in their final preparatory fixture.

Speaking after the encounter, ABS Technical Adviser, Festus Allen, described the victory as a morale booster ahead of Saturday's league opener against Sokoto United, while acknowledging the valuable lessons his side gained from the contest.

"Well, I would say the victory is a morale booster for us. However, we learnt a lot of lessons from the game. It's not that Kwara United did not play; they played. They are our senior brothers, but we learnt a lot from them in that game, and this is a morale booster for our match coming up on Saturday.

"Talking about Kwara United, an NPFL side and a continental team, it's a morale booster and a real test for us, especially considering that this is a new team," Allen said.

The former Gateway gaffer further acknowledged that his team still had areas to improve, assuring that the technical crew would work on the lapses and errors identified during the encounter.

"The lapses and every error spotted will be corrected in training, and we will perfect them. We are yet to get there, but we will get there.

"This game has taught us where and how to approach our next challenge. On Saturday, by the special grace of God, we are going for the three points. I am very confident," he added.

The victory brings ABS Ilorin FC's preseason campaign to a close as attention now shifts to the commencement of the 2026/2027 NNL season.

The Saraki Boys will begin their campaign against Sokoto United on Saturday, with Allen and his players hoping to carry their impressive preseason form into the new season as they pursue their ambition of securing promotion to the NPFL.

ABS Ilorin FC Preseason Results

Barrier FC 1-4 ABS Ilorin FC

Sunrise FC 1-3 ABS Ilorin FC

Nationwide FC 0-2 ABS Ilorin FC

Kwara United 3-1 ABS Ilorin FC

ABS Ilorin FC 4-1 Oscar FC

ABS Ilorin FC 0-3 Gaa Akanbi

Crown FC 1-1 ABS Ilorin FC

KFA 1-1 ABS Ilorin FC

Nationwide FC 2-1 ABS Ilorin FC

ABS Ilorin FC 5-0 Gana Academy

ABS Ilorin FC 1-0 Smart City FC

ABS Ilorin FC 1-0 Kwara United

Preseason Record: Played 12 | Won 7 | Drawn 2 | Lost 3.