By Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

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A 70th minute sublime spot kick by Hakeem Olalere was all Osun United required to claim the maximum three points against FC Nilayo of Abeokuta in a fierce encounter played at the Osogbo Township Stadium .
The result thus reduced pressure on the coaching crew following poor run of form before the mid-season break and put smiles on the faces of fans and supporters who had been expecting positive turnaround.
The first half was cagey as the two sides tried to polish their rough edges while the only good attempt was by the visitors through a free kick by Oluwaseun Aremu that was cooly saved by Arinze Okoro.
Osun United, which recruited a few players during the mid-season break introduced Olaniyi Balogun and Hammed Hammed into the game which brought a vibe to the attack, with good moves and fighting spirit to break the deadlock..
The ‘Omoluabi Giants’ with its usual ‘tikitaka’ style of football controlled the second half and mounted severe pressure on Nilayo and it paid off in the 70th minute when Yomi Olaoke was pulled down in the 18 yard box to gift United a deserved penalty.
Captain of Osun United, Hakeem Olalere aka Kebu stepped forward and sent Isaac Benjamin in a wrong way to record a victory at the Osogbo Township Stadium since the 2-1 win over Vandresser in March.
With the result, Osun United have moved out of relegation zone and trade tackles with Giant Brillars FC at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu this weekend.