After a successful hosting of the 2023/24 NNL, opening match on Saturday at the Lafia City Stadium wherein Nasarawa United FC beat hard-fighting Zamfara United FC by a lone goal, the Management of the Solid Miners, on Monday, appreciated the State Government for facilitating the success of the League’s opener.

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Chairman of Nasarawa United, Dr. Othman Ibrahim Ahmed, during a Media Briefing at the Lafia City Stadium said, “The essence of this briefing is to thank the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for the support he gave to the team and Organizers of the league to stage the opening match of the Season in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital.

“When I spoke with the Governor a week ago about the plans of the Board of the NNL to play the star match in Lafia, he said we should swing into action immediately by giving the Stadium a facelift, and in less than a week, the Stadium is now a state-of-the-art facility.

“We remain eternally grateful and indebted to the Governor who is the number one supporter and financier of the Club for being a worthy father and leader.

“With time, we know the Governor can do more.

“It’s not all about playing, winning, and going back to sleep. We are mindful of appreciation, and we have to do it wholeheartedly.

“Again, we remain grateful to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, who met with the entire team, less than forty-eight hours before the match against Zamfara United, and charged the players and other officials of the Club to go out and make the State proud.

“He prayed for the team, and supported the players and Technical Officials, both morally and financially, which is an indication that there are many ways to get things right.

“Equally, too, we want to thank all the stakeholders, the list is inexhaustible, you know, that gave us support in various ways, on that day and always.

“We are immensely grateful for their support. May God reward each and every one of them accordingly.”

Othman explained that the team was able to break the jinx of finding it difficult to win her first league match on home soil, stating that the slim goal margin recorded against Zamfara United should not be a yardstick to determine the team’s preparedness for the new campaign, but all that matters most was the maximum points garnered.

He assured supporters and fans of the Solid Miners that the team would return to the elite domestic football league with immediate alacrity as all modalities were being put in place to achieve the goal.

Relatedly, the Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United FC, Usman Adams, has said the result against Zamfara United in his first official duty for the Lafia-based outfit on Saturday was a manifestation of better days ahead for the Club.

“The result against Zamfara United was historic because it was the first time that the Club would win her first league match on home soil for over six or seven seasons now.

“It was a tough game, however, but we were able to carry the day at the regulation time.”

On his team’s next game away to EFCC FC in Abuja, next week, the United’s gaffer opined that he would approach it with a different strategy to achieve another positive result.

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“Our performance against Zamfara United wasn’t what we represent as a Club, you know.

“The boys were under serious tension and pressure in that match to deliver because there were so many expectations from them – so many dignitaries on the ground who wanted to see what they could do on the first day of the new campaign, and you know how that feels like – so much anxiety which probably affected our tactics.

“But, we have left that behind us, and we are now working towards our next game in Abuja against EFCC FC.”

Coach Adams reaffirmed that his team is motivated to push back to the Nigeria Premier Football League after the end of the 2023/24 NNL Season as the team continues to enjoy massive support from the Government and the Club’s Management.

“In terms of financial support and equipment, we are not lagging behind. The Government’s support and that of the Management are enough proof to return this team to the Premier League as quickly as possible.”