The Solid Miners kicked off the second phase of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign in style, earning a crucial 1-0 victory over a formidable opponent, Katsina United in a televised match at the Lafia City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win marks a perfect start to the new stanza, boosting the team’s morale and confidence, going forward.
The game, played under closed doors, was a closely contested affair, with Nasarawa United largely controlling the game, and creating more goals-coring opportunities in both halves.
But the home side also had to weather the storm at some instances, with the defence proving resilient, and withstanding intense pressure from the opposition.
The decisive moment came in the 34th minute of the first half when striker, Qamar Adegoke, scored a brilliant goal, displaying exceptional skill and composure, his third goal in United’s colours since joining the team this season.
The League’s leading goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, Kabir Balogun, Abubakar Aliyu and Chigoziem Salomon all came close to increasing the home side’s goal tally but missed, to the frustration of the bench.
Katsina United’s Nazifi Yahaya and Kingsley Innocent nearly drew their side to parity but for the bravery of the United’s defence.
Despite effecting some tactical changes, the result remained unchanged as United returned to winning ways.
With the final verdict on the three points deducted off the Solid Miners still pending, today’s result means Nasarawa United have nineteen points with Katsina United dropping to 14th position with 23 points.
The Solid Miners will next play Shooting Stars SC in Ibadan on Wednesday, 29th January, 2025 by 5.30pm.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
KABIR DOGO(TECH. DIR/NAS): “Congratulations to us all on today’s win. No matter the scoreline, all that’s needed was the full points, needless to say the weather was just too unbearable for both teams.
“Before the commencement of this half of the season, we spent a week in Jos and our new players easily adapted to our pattern of play, and that is helping us a lot, even though we played today’s game without our loyal supporters and fans.
“Rest assured that the team will not go on relegation as being perceived in some quarters.
“We will now shift our attention to our next match against Shooting Stars in Ibadan, and anything is possible from that venue in our favour.”
COACH BISHIR SADOKI(KAT): “Both sides played good football but Nasarawa United wanted the points more than us because of their position in the league standings, coupled with the latest players they recruited for this half of the season.
“The weather condition was too harsh for both sides. Playing such high intensity game under the hot sun is honestly not easy for anyone who is here because the temperature was very very high and biting.
“We will do our best to win our next game, regardless of the opponents.”
