Nasarawa United boosted their Nigeria Premier Football League survival hopes with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Plateau United on match-day 33, earning them a financial reward.
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The win at Lafia City Stadium saw the Solid Miners climb to 14th on the log with 42 points, matching Plateau United’s tally but trailing on goal difference.
In an instantaneous reaction, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, rewarded the team with N2.5 million following the impressive win.
The announcement was made via the club’s official WhatsApp platform where the Governor follows live match updates.
“Great game, guys!
Clean and authoritative win!! N2.5 million from me to the team.
Congratulations, guys!!!”, Governor Sule wrote.
In addition, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, presented the team with a N1 million personal cash reward during the halftime break, encouraging the players to maintain their commitment and intensity throughout the final stretch of the season.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of the team Salisu Yusuf expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance and determination.
Coach Salisu Yusuf said:
“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, 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. After that, we will turn our attention to the league game against Bendel Insurance in Benin.
“We approach each game at a time, and we are ready for the challenge.”
With five matches to go, Nasarawa United’s next challenge is a trip to Edo State on Matchday 34 where they will face Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
*Match Recap: A Five-Goal Thriller in Lafia*
The home side opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Anas Yusuf, the league’s top scorer, who converted a smart pass from Abubakar Aliyu for his 15th goal of the campaign.
Nasarawa doubled their lead nine minutes after the restart when Ugochukwu Leonard deflected Yusuf’s left-footed strike into the net.
Plateau United pulled one back in the 58th minute, courtesy of a solo effort from Vincent Temitope, but Leonard restored the two-goal cushion in the 74th minute, finishing off a rebound from Aliyu Abubakar’s free-kick for his second goal of the day.
There was late drama when Plateau United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Detan Ogundare saved Temitope’s spot-kick. The visitors did manage to score again moments later through Samuel Pam, but it proved too little too late as the Solid Miners held on for a vital 3-2 win.
