Nasarawa United secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup Football Competition after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kano Selected FC in their second Group D match at the New Jos International Stadium, Plateau State, on Thursday afternoon.
The decisive moment came just seven minutes into the game when Simon Akpor netted a crucial goal, showcasing his sharpness and composure in front of the goal.
Despite their early lead, Nasarawa United missed several opportunities to extend their advantage, with Terdoo Shimagande, Andrew Garba, and Davidson Fred all failing to convert chances that could have sealed the match earlier.
Kano Selected FC had a golden opportunity to equalize late in the game, but Samuel Mailabari squandered the chance, sending his shot high over the crossbar, much to the relief of the Lafia-based side.
The Solid Miners, fresh from a convincing 3-0 victory over Ajester FC earlier in the week, showed resilience and defensive solidity to maintain their slim lead until the final whistle. This win marks Nasarawa United’s back-to-back success in Group D, setting them on course for a strong campaign in the tournament.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Nasarawa United’s coach, Usman Adams, emphasized the importance of the victory: “We’ve shown great character and determination in these matches. The boys played well, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal as we progress in the competition.”
Nasarawa United will face the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in their final group match on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, in what will be a formality game. The team’s focus will then shift to the quarter-final stage, where they are set to meet the runners-up of Group B.
With momentum on their side, Nasarawa United will aim to continue their impressive run in the tournament and stake their claim for the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup.
