Nasarawa United produced a scintillating performance, defeating hapless Abia Warriors 3-0, in front of a raucous home crowd, led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, at the Lafia City Stadium during the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match-day seven mid-week encounter on Wednesday evening.
The Nasarawa State governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, made a morale-boosting presence at the stadium to cheer the Solid Miners to victory.
According to a statement signed by the
Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC, Eche Amos, the governor’s presence at the game seemed to have a profound effect on the players as they turned around their slow start to the game to dominating the match in the reverse half.
Anas Yusuf opened the scoring in the 56th minute, before adding two more goals in the 58th and 70th minutes, securing a well-deserved hat-trick and first home win for the Lafia-based team.
The attacker has now netted eight times for the Solid Miners this season.
Earlier before the game, the governor had a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, Management Members of the State-owned Club led by Solomon Babanjah, and the Technical Director, Kabir Dogo, at the Government House, Lafia, and charged the team to win game with as many goals as possible and to also maintain the tempo in subsequent outings.
After securing the win, Governor Sule congratulated the team, saying, “Congratulations, the Solid Miners!
“Now we are back and ready to go. The team played like the hungry lions at the Safari. Way to go, guys!!!”
Responding to the governor’s gesture, Nasarawa United Technical Director, Kabir Dogo, said the governor’s visit was a huge motivation for the team.
“Our meeting with the Governor at the Government House earlier today, his presence at the stadium and remarks gave us encouragement and support. They were the extra push we needed to deliver a top-class performance today.
“The Governor’s presence lifted our spirits and reminded us of the importance of representing the State with great pride and patriotism.
“That’s why we have dedicated today’s win to him as a mark of our appreciation to him, even though it’s never equivalent to what he does for the team and its members. But we will continue to work harder to make him and the good people of the State proud,” Dogo stated.
The win over Abia Warriors sees the Solid Miners advancing to 8th position with nine points from seven games, whereas their defeated opponents dropped to 13th position with 8 points.
United will subsequently face Sunshine Stars of Akure at their makeshift home-ground, the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
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