By Eche Amos
The Solid Miners, for the first time this season, registered a back-to-back victory after earning the maximum points off hosts, NAF FC at the Area 3 Football Field, Abuja, during the 2023/24 Nigeria National League match-day ten cracker.
After a goalless stalemate in the first forty-five minutes, Nasarawa United’s superior experience came to bear with substitute and former Nigerian junior international, King Osanga, starting a build up that saw him feeding wizardry new acquisition, Peter Eneji, who meandered through the forest of legs before laying a defence-splitting pass to another new purchase, Okonkwo Chinonso, who buried the ball past the onrushing NAF goalkeeper, Aminu Isiaka, in the 68th minute, his first goal in United’s colours.
Earlier, NAF’s Yahaya Ibrahim had struck the cross bar with a terrific shot, even as Anas Yusuf missed a glorious opportunity after being tailor-found by Umar Ada.
However, the Solid Miners held on to the scoreline till the final whistle to record their first away win of the Season, a result that sees them come joint-top with Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi on twenty points, but the latter having more goal advantage, fourteen, against United’s seven.
A handful of Nasarawa State’s delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, comprising the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, House Committee Chairman on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Garba Mohammed Isimbabi, Nasarawa State Football Association Chairman, Salisu Galadima, and Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, Chairperson, Nasarawa Amazons FC, were on hand to cheer the Dr. Othman Ahmed Ibrahim-led Solid Miners to victory.
Nasarawa United will be on standby this weekend before hosting Wikki Tourists the following weekend at the Lafia City Stadium by 3pm.
POST-MATCH REACTION:
DR. EMMANUEL AGBADU AKABE (DEP. GOV./NAS): “Nothing but to say congratulations to you and all of us.
“I was quite impressed with the quality of play, and I pray that we keep this momentum on.
“Whatever it is, we are going to work with the House of Assembly, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Management of the Club to make sure that all that you require to enable you come back to the Premier League is done and accordingly, too.
“And should there be anything you want us to do, don’t hesitate to let us know as we will try our best to be part of what you want so that our return to the elite is smooth because that’s where we belong.
“Lastly, when I return to Lafia, there should be something for you as a reward for your hard work today.”
CAUTION(YELLOW CARD).
Peter Akanam (NAF)6′
Moyi Hassan (NAS)79′
Abubakar Abdullahi (NAS)90+2′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Ameh Godwin, Abubakar Abdullahi, Mubarak Hussain, Moyi Hassan(Ebuka Ekesi 90+3′), Emeka Onyema, Saviour Chukwu, Anas Yusuf(Chidera Nduka 45′), Umar Ada(King Osanga 64′), Okonkwo Chinonso(Olakunle Akala 90+3′), Habibu Alakija (Adamu Hassan 45′), Peter Eneji.
UNUSED SUBS: Jerry Isaac, Suleiman Akoza, Ajiboye Moses, Sabo Gambo.