The Solid Miners secured a crucial 1-0 win in their Nigeria Premier Football League match-day 35 encounter against Owerri-based Heartland FC, on Sunday afternoon at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, further brightening their survival hopes with three matches left to play before the curtains are drawn closed for the 2024/25 campaign.
The solitary goal was scored by the league’s leading goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, whose solo effort sailed past the Naze Millionaires’ goalkeeper, Kelvin Ogunga, after being found through by Ugochukwu Leonard, in the 44th minute of it first-half, his 16th goal of the current campaign.
Despite the challenges of playing away from their original home ground due to the ban by the League’s Organizers, Nasarawa United showed remarkable spirit and hunger for success, and got it against the five-time winners of the Premier League title who are now relegation-threatened.
United thought they had increased the goal tally in the 79th minute only for Anas Yusuf’s second goal of the afternoon to be disallowed, with the match officials claiming the attacker to be in offside position.
Unperturbed by the cancellation, the hosts held firm to secure a fourth straight home win, following previous victories against Akwa United, Plateau United and Rangers International FC respectively, in Lafia.
Today’s result catapults the Solid Miners to 13th position on the log with 46 points, while the Coach Emmanuel Amunike-led Heartland’s woes are further compounded, as they are locked on 17h position with 42 points.
Nasarawa United’s journey to survival continues as they prepare for the next challenge with renewed energy and determination when they travel to Enugu on Wednesday , 7th May, 2025, to take on already relegated Lobi Stars in the clash of next-door neighbours.
Before then, the Team will take a long road journey to Benin City, Edo State, where they will lock horns with Abakaliki United of Ebonyi State in the Quarter Final of the 2025 President Federation’s Cup slated for Saturday, 3rd May, 2025, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
In a related development, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, in his usual magnanimity and morale-boosting incentive to the team, rewarded Nasarawa United with the sum of One Hundred of Fifty Thousand Naira for their heroics against the Naze Millionaires in Gombe, the gesture being the Commissioner’s personal support per goal scored in any official game Nasarawa United are involved in since his assumption of office.
Kwanta led a high-profile delegation to Gombe to cheer the Solid Miners to victory.
He and his team were received by Chairman of Nasarawa United, Solomon Babanjah.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
COACH SALISU YUSUF(NAS): “This win is a significant morale booster for our team, and we are proud of every player’s effort.
“With three matches remaining before the League comes to an end, we are focused on taking it one game at a time and pushing for every point possible.
“Our warmest gratitude to the sports stakeholders in Gombe State, including the Government State Government, Gombe State Football Association, the combined forces of Gombe United FC and Doma United FC and their wonderful Supporters’ Clubs, the local media, and many more too numerous to mention.
“We are overwhelmed by the massive support and solidarity shown to us. This feels like home away from home for us.
“As long as we are here, we will continue to reward their support for us and the good people of Nasarawa State.”
CAUTION(YELLOW CARD):
Utake Emmanuel(NAS)61′
Daniel Ekpo(HEA)83′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Detan Ogundare, Abubakar Abdullahi(Kabir Balogun 84′), Mubarak Hussaini, Chidera Nduka, Anas Yusuf, Garba Abubakar(Jack Benjamin 77′), Shina Kumater(John Joshua 77′), Ugochukwu Leonard(Qamar Adegoke 84′), Benson Abbey, Utake Emmanuel, Salomon Chigoziem(Abubakar Aliyu 54′).
UNUSED SUBS: Mohammed Galadima, Moyi Hassan, King Osanga, Emeka Onyema.
CREDIT: Eche Amos(Fellow, CBS),Director of Media,Nasarawa United FC.