By Aderonke Ojo
The Solid Miners’ impressive home record was finally breached today, Sunday, 9th November, 2025, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kwara United at the Lafia City Stadium.
Last season’s highest goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, gave the home side an early lead, pouncing on a poor defensive clearance, his third goal of the current campaign, before the Harmony Boys, as Kwara United are nicknamed, levelled matters through Aule Johnmark, in the 36th minute.
Despite creating a raft of scoring opportunities, Nasarawa United’s attack was blunted by Kwara’s resolute defence, and the visitors’s equalizer ultimately proved a fair reflection of the contest, as the result marked the first time that the Solid Miners have dropped points at home this season, ending a run of five successive victories in front of their vociferous supporters and fans.
Sunday’s draw, however, leaves the Lafia-based Nasarawa United still perched atop the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League table with twenty-three points from twelve games.
The Solid Miners will hope to return to winning ways again when they travel to Owerri, Imo State, for their match-day thirteen clash against 15th-placed Kun Khalifat FC, on Sunday, 16th November, 2025, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, by 4pm.
On the sidelines of the game, Chairman of Nasarawa United FC, Solomon Babanjah, Technical Adviser, Mangut Mbwas, and first-choice goalkeeper, Ameh Godwin, were presented with an award of excellence by a Lafia-based solidarity group, Lafia Social Sport Club, in recognition of the immense achievements of the trio in the league.
The awards were presented to the trio by Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu during the Half-Time.
Speaking in the aftermath of the game, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Mangut Mbwas, attributed today’s result to the congested fixture list, which had seen his side contest three matches within the space of one week.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
COACH MANGUT MBWAS (NAS): “This really is not the result we had wanted. It’s painful to drop points in front of your supporters, particularly going by what we have done so far and expectations of everyone.
“The players were exhausted. We have had a cluster of games in a short period, away in Port-Harcourt, Thursday in Lafia, and today again – it’s taken its toll on the team because we didn’t have the same level of energy and intensity that we have shown in previous matches.
“However, that’s not an excuse. We must ensure the team remains competitive over the long haul, be able to challenge for the top three position, and our response to this result today will be keenly anticipated by our dear supporters and fans, beginning from our next game in Owerri
“We need to push more to get so many points both home and on the road.
“Kwara United have always been a difficult side. They are a very compact side.
“Kwara United are a very disciplined side as well, and they were one of our difficult opponents this season.”
COACH SULEIMAN ASHIFAT(KWA): It’s really a good game. Now I can see the reason why Nasarawa United are topping the table.
“Nasarawa United deserve to be at the top of the league table for their brand of football.
“It’s a tough game today, even though we had thought that we could replicate what we did last season here by picking the maximum points, but getting a point isn’t a bad result.
“Our next game is away to El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, and today’s result is good for the team as we will give our all to get the maximum points against El-Kanemi.”
CAUTION(YELLOW CARD):
Utake Emmanuel(NAS)45+1′
Junior Aimafua(KWA)45+1′
Ugochukwu Leonard(NAS)65′
Alao Danbani(KWA)76′
Collins Onovughe(NAS)90+4′
12(KWA)90+5′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Chinemerem Olughu, Abubakar Abdullahi, Mubarak Hussaini, Utake Emmanuel, Victor John, Chidera Nduka, Anas Yusuf(Ada Umar 76′), Ekeson Okorie( Ugochukwu Leonard 63′), John Joshua(Salomon Chigoziem 63′), Garba Mohammed(Akanni Lawal 68′), Jofrank Istifanus(Collins Onovughe 45′).
UNUSED SUBS: Darlintin Ovunda, Moses Tsehuan, Benson Abbey, Abubakar Aliyu.