The coach of Nasarawa United of Lafia, Adams Usman has revealed all secrets behind his team’s promotion ticket gained at this year’s Nigerian National League (NNL) Super-8 in Enugu.
A stunning 2-1 victory over Sporting Supreme FC of Abuja on Wednesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium meant The Solid Miners won all three group matches in the promotion play-offs and cruised ahead of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri into the final.
Even as he eyes a further surge to their status by becoming the NNL’s overall champion for the outgoing season, Usman thanked God for making the promotion ticket possible.
The amiable gaffer then reeled out a long vote of thanks to everyone who helped the club pick a ticket into the top-flight Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
He went on to reveal his line-up of feats and pedigree over the years, plus previous experience gained from handling other clubs in the NNL, all of which he believes added up to make Nasarawa’s achievement possible.
Usman dedicated the feat to God, even as he praised the state governor, deputy, ministry of sports, his players, technical crew, and their supporters for the roles they all played in making the promotion ticket possible.
The exuberant tactician declared, “I want to dedicate this victory to Almighty Allah, for not just coming to the Super-8 in Enugu, but also getting to the final.
“I want to appreciate the government of my state – especially the governor, the deputy governor, the ministry, the teeming supporters.
“I want to give kudos to my players, my technical crew, and management. I am highly elated to be in the final and to get the promotion ticket, finally.”
Despite his previous experience handling teams in the NNL, Usman admitted that it was not easy pulling through with The Solid Miners, who were joined into the NPFL by El-Kanemi, Beyond Limit of Ikenne and Ikorodu City of Lagos after the last group matches on Wednesday.
“I give thanks to God, because it was not easy playing in the NNL. When the four groups were created, nobody gave Nasarawa United a chance.
“The journalists called our place in Group C as the death zone. But inside me, I believed I could do it, because I know my onions.
“I was once an NNL Super-8 champion in Aba with Kada City. I made it there that time, and I know the terrain.
“So, this year, I knew what to expect. I took it easy, and I was able to come out of my tough group.
“I knew that something better would still happen, and it has happened. I am happy, and I thank God,” Usman concluded.
