By Eche Amos, Media Officer, Nasarawa United FC
It was not a good Monday afternoon for Nasarawa United as they lost their third consecutive league match of the campaign, falling 0-2 to hosts, Rivers United at the Adokiye Amasieamaka Stadium, in Rivers State,
The Solid Miners who had gone into the game with the expectations to prove a point following two earlier defeats to Plateau United in Jos and Enyimba in Lafia, almost opened scoring as early as in the 6th minute when Ikenna Ofor released Silas Nwankwo with only the goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, to beat but his final touch went off target.
A minute later, the Lafia-side were caught napping as Malachi Ohawume put the hosts in the lead with a headed goal from Fortune Omoniwari’s cross.
Adamu Hassan’s threatening combination with Silas Nwankwo upfront could not produce any respite as the first-half whistle sounded.
Upon resumption, Silas Nwankwo sent a lofty pass to Adamu Hassan inside the box only for the latter’s intention to be well read by the Rivers’ defence.
Godwin Aguda called Danlami Umar, in goal for Nasarawa United, into action with a thunderous shot from distance, but the goalkeeper did well to punch it out of the intended direction.
Rivers United would increase their tally in the 73rd minute through substitute, Esor Nelson after he guided home Bamba Bakary’s free-kick.
The Solid Miners came closest to reducing the deficit when Barnabas Imenger found Silas Nwankwo with a delightful pass but the energetic attacker could only send it over the bar.
2-0 it ended as Nasarawa United slumped to 8th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League table, four points off 2nd-placed Rivers United and seven behind
leaders, Enyimba International.
After Akwa United’s visit on Valentine’s Day(Sunday), Coach Bala Nikyu’s men travel to Jigawa Golden Stars a week later, before a midweek home game against visiting FC Ifeanyi Ubah. They will wrap-up the month with a long trip to Lagos to play MFM FC on 28th February.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
COACH BALA NIKYU(NAS): “Any time you lose, it’s for you to go and put yourself together and identify where the mistakes came from.
“Losing three matches in a row, I think nothing is wrong with the team. It’s only part of the game, but I want to assure you that we will spring back.”
COACH STANLEY EGUMA(RIV): “It’s a good one. I appreciate the players and God Almighty, too.
“Nasarawa United is a good team. You saw the way they played – they gave us a very good fight, but unfortunately, we needed the points more than any other thing.”
CAUTION:
(Yellow Card)
Fabian Nworie(RIV) 44′
Sadiq Abdurazaq(NAS) 49′
Cletus Emotan (RIV) 65′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Danlami Umar, Abubakar Abdullahi, Ebuka Anaekwe, Tebo Franklin, Uzochukwu Chigozie(David Ehiaghe 80′), Onyema Emeka, Sadiq Abdulrazaq, Ikenna Ofor, Chidi Solomon(Barnabas Imenger 60′), Silas Nwankwo, Adamu Hassan(Dauda Maigishiri 82′).
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Mohammed Galadima, Ameh Godwin, Ibrahim Matthew, Ini Edem, Bashiru Usman, Haggai Katoh
COACH: Bala Nikyu
