Cynosure Football Club rose to the occasion to fight to the last minutes tooth to snatch a point from the claws of Nasarawa United at the first match of the maiden edition of the Unity Preseason Tournament, “Unity Cup”.
The encounter, which kicked off at the Area 3 Football Pitch, Garki Abuja lived up to expectations of every keen observer as it was packed with mixed emotions, tension, and of course, late drama.
Nasarawa United had the better of the game in the first half but were kept at arms length by Cynosure FC’s defense duo of Timothy and Adeiza.
And just on the 40th minute, the Solid Miners opened the score sheet through Tola Oluwole who strikes from an unexpected position only for goalkeeper, Onu Olughu to watch on as the ball bounced and found its way in to the net.
Cynosure resumed the second half in high spirit and had few unconverted chances with Goja Lawrence and Kenneth Nze trying their luck from far distance.
All hopes seems lost until James Pope who came late on for Kenneth Nze – weaved into space and stabbed home from six yards after a beautifully worked corner kick from Joseph and Chimamkpa in the 90th minute.
In the second match, the former NPFL Champions Plateau United needed all the experience to outwit Waco Boys of Abuja by a lone goal. The goal which was scored in second half of the game, was defender till the end.
The most dramatic of the games was the third match of the day, where none league side Simoniben FC came from a first half goal deficit to beat Sokoto United by three goals to one.
Hostilities continue today as Fosla FC of Abuja tackles Mavlon FC also of Abuja, Wikki Tourists takes on new NNL entrants Capital City while Waco boys will take on Simoniben FC. All matches will be played at Area 3 pitch starting from 12 noon.