….Get Two Million Naira Incentive From Governor Sule, Half a Million From Deputy Governor.
In a nail-biting encounter at the Cathedral Stadium, Enugu, Nasarawa United staged an impressive comeback to win 1-2 against their border neighbours, Lobi Stars, in a highly anticipated derby match at match-day 36 of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season on Wednesday afternoon.
Trailing at half-time through Japhet’s 4th minute goal, the Solid Miners showed remarkable resilience and determination to overturn the deficit.
First-half substitute, Shina Kumater, drew United on level terms, two minutes into the restart, before the league’s goal king, Anas Yusuf, sealed the victory with a clinical finish in the 58th minute, his 17th goal of the current campaign.
Wednesday’s win further cements United’s resolve to remain in the elite domestic football league as they now have 49 points and sit on 11th position on the league table, while already relegated Lobi Stars have 25 points from the same number of games.
Nasarawa United will play their last home match of the season on Sunday, 11th May, 2025, at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe against visiting Enyimba FC, before ending the season with a long journey to Port-Harcourt to take on Rivers United on Match-day 38 on 25th May, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, shortly after Nasarawa United’s victory over Lobi Stars in Enugu on Wednesday afternoon, has rewarded the team with the sum of Two Million Naira.
The Governor made the pronouncement on the official WhatsApp Platform of the Club where he follows live updates of matches and other important activities.
The Governor had redeemed an earlier pledged Two Million, and Five Hundred Thousand Naira after the Solid Miners beat another fellow zonal rivals, Plateau United, in Lafia.
The Governor’s Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, also rewarded the team with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira for defeating Lobi Stars in Enugu.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, presented the money to the team’s Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, and Captain, King Osanga(MON), on behalf of the Governor and Deputy Governor.
*POST-MATCH REACTIONS:*
COACH SALISU YUSUF(NAS): “Yeah, we are grateful for today’s result.
“It’s a very difficult game, you know. My boys were a little bit down, especially within the first twenty minutes, and we got punished for that.
“The entire team members were fatigued and highly overburdened after travelling to Gombe, then to Benin City, and now to Enugu.
“But during the Half-Time, we told the players to rediscover themselves and find a way back, knowing the situation we found ourselves, particularly at these dying moments of the league campaign.
“We told them to show the desire, hunger, and passion to change the rhythm of the game, and thank God we got two instant responses early after the break.
“We are so excited about this result today.
“I met this team at the relegation zone, and without bringing in any new player, and other factors, we are able to find ourselves where we are today.
“Against Enyimba in our next game at our makeshift home ground in Gombe, we will face the game squarely and go for the maximum points.
“We are appreciative for the overwhelming support we always get from the fans in Gombe. They make Gombe look like our home.”
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Detan Ogundare(Mohammed Galadima 79′), Abubakar Abdullahi, Mubarak Hussaini, Abbey Benson, Emmanuel Utake(Victor Collins 79′), Chidera Nduka, Garba Mohammed(Garba Abubakar 59′), Anas Yusuf, John Joshua(Shina Kumater 35′), Abubakar Aliyu, Ugochukwu Leonard(Benjamin Jack 59′).
UNUSED SUBS: Kabir Balogun, Qamar Adegoke, Salomon Chigoziem, Moyi Hassan.