In a highly anticipated derby league match, the Solid Miners pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Northern Regional arch-rivals and heavyweights, Kano Pillars, at a packed Lafia City Stadium on blockbuster Sunday.
The hosts dominated the early exchanges, with rave of the moment, Anas Yusuf, scoring in the 40th minute of the first-half with a clinical finish from a tight angle, his 9th goal in nine games in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season.
During the restart, the duo of Ahmed Musa and Rabiu Ali tried to draw the ‘Sai Masu Gida’ as Kano Pillars are nicknamed level but each of their attempts was scuttled by the determined United side.
The victory, which is against the pre-game predictions, propels Nasarawa United to 8th position in the league table with twelve points, while Pillars drop down to 12th position with eleven points.
The Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, before kick-off, had pledged to support the team with the sum of One Million Naira(N1,000,000.00) should the team beat the four-time former league champions.
Commissioner for the Ministry, Hon. Jafaru Ango, stated that the incentive was to boost the morale of the players in the high-profile league clash.
The Coach Kabir Dogo-led Solid Miners will travel to face the league’s defending Champions and 11th-placed team, Rangers International, at the Cathedral Stadium, Enugu, on match-day ten on Sunday, 3rd November, 2024.
POST-MATCH REACTION:
“We are very happy for this victory today, our second at home this season. This is very massive for everyone in Nasarawa State.
“It’s a result nobody expected us to get, especially going by the array of highly experienced players Kano Pillars paraded today, like Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi and Rabiu Ali(Pele), but glory be to God that we won at last.
“We would have recorded about three goals today because we dominated them in all facets and squandered some glorious chances, however, we are still comfortable with the one goal win which also equals three points.
“Our next game is against Rangers in Enugu next weekend, and we intend to approach the game as it comes.
“Regarding the invitation of three of our players for the Super Eagles’ B Team by the Coaches of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Football Team, we are so excited about the development and we know our players will make us and the country proud at the CHAN Qualifiers against Ghana, and equally help the country qualify for the CHAN Championship slated for early next year where it will be hosted by the trio of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
“With time, Nasarawa United will produce players for all the categories of the National Teams.
“We appreciate the Technical Crew of the Super Eagles, the Leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, and most especially the Nasarawa State Government, for their continuous support and push.
“We will continue to do our best to reward their trust in us.”
CAUTIONS:
Ugochukwu Gabriel(PIL/Red Card)42′
Moyi Hassan(NAS/Yellow Card)90+4′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Mohammed Galadima, Kabir Balogun, Victor Collins, Mubarak Hussaini, Emeka Onyema Chidera Nduka, Anas Yusuf(Adamu Hassan 80′), Sabo Gambo(Moyi Hassan 80′), Shina Kumater, Chinonso Okonkwo(Garba Mohammed64′), Terdoo Shimagande.
UNUSED SUBS: Ameh Godwin, Abubakar Abdullahi, Saviour Chukwu, Shammasu Mohammed, Habibu Alakija, John Joshua.
CREDIT: Eche Amos(Fellow, CBS), Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC.