{
  "id": 3852776,
  "title": "Kwara United ready for new season – coach Ashifat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kwara-united-ready-for-new-season-coach-ashifat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T00:46:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/kwara-united-ready-for-new-season-coach-ashifat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kwara United's head coach, Suleiman Ashifat, has stated that his team, the Harmony Boys, are fully prepared for the upcoming Nigeria Premier Football League season. This claim was made following a friendly match against Crown FC of Ogbomoso, where Kwara United emerged victorious with a scoreline of 2-0. The friendly match served as an opportunity for the club to showcase their readiness to the fans after a three-week preseason tour. Ashifat informed journalists that the league season has commenced and the team has no reason not to declare their readiness. The team recently returned from a preseason tournament in Kano, where they secured the second position after losing the final to Ranchers Bees in a penalty shoot-out. Ashifat emphasized that the friendly match against Crown FC was part of the club's ongoing preparations for the new campaign, and that additional technical issues would be addressed before the season opener. He urged supporters to attend the club's opening fixture at their home ground against Kano Pillars, urging them to provide the \"twelfth man\" support. Kwara United's inaugural league match is scheduled for the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin.",
  "summary": "Kwara United head coach, Suleiman Ashifat, has declared the Harmony Boys fully prepared for the new Nigeria Premier Football League season, insisting the club will hit the ground running, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Ashifat spoke to journalists after his side defeated Crown FC of Ogbomoso 2-0 in a Wednesday friendly staged for supporters to assess Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kwara United coach Ashifat claims team ready for new Nigeria Premier League season.",
    "Friendly match against Crown FC ended 2-0 in favor of Kwara United.",
    "Team returned from Kano preseason tournament as runners-up."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The coach's assertion of readiness signals a confident start for Kwara United in the new season, aiming to leverage home support in their opening fixture against Kano Pillars.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Kwara United ready for new season – coach Ashifat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kwara-united-ready-for-new-season-coach-ashifat-3858009",
        "published": "2026-08-28T01:16:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}