….Governor Sule, Youth and Sports Commissioner Reward Team With Cash Incentives.
In a nail-biting Nigeria Premier League match-day 33 fixture at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday evening, the Solid Miners emerged victorious over their North Central Zonal neighbours, Plateau United, with a 3-2 win, claiming regional bragging rights and bolstering their fight against relegation.
The intense match saw Nasarawa United taking the lead, 22nd minute into the first-half through the league’s leading goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, after being found through by Abubakar Aliyu, his 15th goal of the current campaign.
The hosts were 2-0 up, nine minutes into the restart, through Ugochukwu Leonard after he deflected Anas Yusuf’s leftfooted effort into the back of the net.
Plateau United, however, regrouped and reduced the deficit through a solo effort by Vincent Temitope who overwhelmed the backline before slotting the ball into an empty post in the 58th minute.
The home side increased the goal tally after Aliyu Abubakar’s free-kick got parried on to the path of Ugochukwu Leonard who calmly buried it in the 74th minute, his second for the evening, before being substituted thereafter.
Drama, however, ensued when the visitors were awarded a penalty, a minute into the five minutes’ additional time, but Vincent Temitope got his spot kick saved by goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare.
United, nevertheless, lost focus in the dying seconds of extra-time, allowing the Jos-based side to further reduce the goal margin through Samuel Pam, bringing full-time score to 3-2 in favour of the hosts.
Today’s victory not only secures bragging rights for the Solid Miners but also provides a vital boost in the battle against the drop zone as they are now 14th on the table with 42 points, with their beaten opponents, Plateau United, sharing the same points but only ahead on goals’ difference.
The Solid Miners will next face Bendel Insurance in Benin City, Edo State, on match-day 34. But before then, they will shift focus to the President Federation’s Cup Round of 16 clash against fellow Premiership side, Bayelsa United, on Wednesday, 16th April, 2025, at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Stadium, Anyigba, Kogi State.
In a related development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has rewarded the State-owned Nasarawa United with the sum of Two Million, and Five Hundred Thousand Naira(N2,5000,000.00) for beating Plateau United on Sunday evening in Lafia.
The Governor made the announcement shortly after the full-time whistle via the Club’s official WhatsApp platform where he follows the live text commentary on match-days.
Part of the Governor’s message on the WhatsApp’s platform reads:
“Great game, guys!
“Clean and authoritative win!!
“N2.5 million from me to the team.
“Congratulations, guys!!!”
Also, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, rewarded the team with the sum of One Million Naira for their feat against their next door neighbours, Plateau United, on NPFL match-day 33.
The Commissioner handed over the personal cash gift to the team during the Half-Time session of the game, charging them to continue to show commitment and resilience to escape the drop until the final day of the league season.
He promised to sustain such benevolence in each of the team’s remaining games.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
COACH SALISU YUSUF(NAS): “We are happy for the win. We worked so hard to see that we win today’s game.
“I am really happy with the boys. They have done so well. They are imprinting all we teach them in our trainings, and I believe they are adapting quickly.
“I am not surprised that we scored three goals in this game, even though we lost momentary concentration toward the latter stages of the game, which is dangerous. But this is football; it happens sometimes.
“For now, our focus is on the President Federation’s Cup Round of 16 tie against Bayelsa United on Wednesday, and after that, we could pay attention to the league’s game against Bendel Insurance in Benin.
“We approach each game at a time, and we are ready for tye the challenge.”
CAUTION(YELLOW CARD):
Vincent Temitope(PLA)71′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Detan Ogundare, Abubakar Abdullahi(Kabir Balogun 85′), Mubarak Hussaini, Chidera Nduka, Anas Yusuf(Adamu Hassan 85′), Shina Kumater, Ugochukwu Leonard(Benjamin Jack 77′), Abubakar Aliyu(John Joshua 85′), Garba Mohammed(Garba Abubakar 77′), Benson Abbey, Emeka Onyema.
UNUSED SUBS: Mohammed Galadima, King Osanga, Qamar Adegoke, Manga Mohammed.
CREDIT: Eche Amos(Fellow, CBS), Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC.