In their bid to continue with their impressive start to the 2023/24 Nigeria National League season, 2nd-placed Nasarawa United welcomed zonal neighbours, Mighty Jets International FC of Jos who, prior to the game, had not lost any match this term and sitting on 4th position in the Group C ladder.
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Upon the start of the game, it was the hosts who would be more urgent in the exchanges with left back, Suleiman Akoza’s shot palmed over the bar by Goalkeeper, Gobum Rotduwe, after a foray into the Jos-based territory.
A moment after that, the visitors went close with an effort courtesy of Abiya Abdullahi but Goalkeeper, Jerry Isaac, was alive to the threat.
New signing, Musa Muktar, struck the frame of the post after pouncing on a lovely cross in from Suleiman Akoza in the 11th minute.
His effort was followed by Attahiru Zangina’s header and another glaring chance by Sabo Gambo, but both chances lacked the force behind the ball.
Coach Usman Adams thought his side were already in the lead only for Chinedu Ohanachom’s moment of glory to be curtailed as the first-half ended nil-nil apiece.
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With the Solid Miners all over the guests, it felt as though a goal was eminent in the reverse half, and they were rewarded for their persistence in the action-packed encounter.
Substitute, Shammasu Mohammed was at the right position, four minutes after his introduction, as he headed home a beautiful cross in by mercurial midfielder, Ham Danjuma, to give the home side the lead in the 57th minute.
While the away team were still trying to recover from the shock, golden boy, Shammasu Mohammed added a second goal, ten minutes before the regulation time with another substitute, Moses Ajiboye, the architect of the assist, a straw that broke Jets’ back as further actions could not alter the scoreline, and United winning their second home game of the campaign, returning them to the top of the Group C table with seven points from three matches.
Nasarawa United will be on the road for a date with former Nigeria Premier Football League side, El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri in their next fixture.
POST-INAUGURATION REACTIONS
COACH USMAN ADAMS(NAS): “Two home games, six points, and we picked a draw away from home making a total of seven points, I think we have not started badly. We want to continue in this format.
“Yeah, we had a lot of goalscoring chances in the first-half but failed to convert them. However, the most important thing is that we were able to utilize those chances in the second half, and we will continue to work towards scoring more.
“Our next game is against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, and we are going there as league leaders even though our next table challengers have a game at hand before our next tie. It’s going to be an advantage for us if we are still on top of the log.
“Regarding the two goal-hero today, Shammasu Mohammed, he is an exceptional player as long as club football is concerned in this country.
“From the elite league to where we are now, he has shown how exceptional he is. We know when to bring him and what he is capable of doing once introduced.”
COACH NAJIB MABO(JETS): “Actually, this wasn’t the result we expected. We came here with the intention of winning, or probably go home with a draw. Unfortunately, some tactical errors led to our defeat today.
“We hope to go back home to correct those errors before our next game.
“Two points from three matches is very unfortunate, but we won’t lose concentration. We will remain focused and determined in our next home match against NAF FC of Abuja.
“Generally, Nasarawa United are a big team with a household name.
“Before coming here, we had that respect for them as humans.
“They are a fantastic team, and honestly, I commend their efforts, and I congratulate to them because their victory today was deserving.”
CAUTION(YELLOW CARD)
Mukhtar Musa(NAS)31′
Sale Muhammad (JETS)33′
Isaac Jonathan(JETS)47′
Choji Stephen(JETS)63′
Maiyanga Usman(JETS)87′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Jerry Isaac, Abubakar Abdullahi, Akoza Suleiman, Chidera Nduka, Manga Mohammed, Emeka Onyema,
Attahiru Zangina (Adamu Hassan 70′), Ham Danjuma(King Osanga 84′), Sabo Gambo(Musa Musa 70′),
9. Chinedu Ohanachom(Shammasu Mohammed53′), Musa Muktar(Moses Ajiboye 53′).
UNUSED SUBS: Ameh Godwin, Aminu Abubakar, Jalo Jibrin, Saviour Chukwu.
