Nasarawa United are looking forward to gifting their loyal supporters and fans alike a Boxing Day present when they lock horns with fellow northerners, Gombe United, in the week two of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League.
The Solid Miners cancelled Christmas day celebration as they trained at the Lafia City Stadium on Saturday morning under the watchful eye of Coach, Bala Nikyu, ahead of their Boxing Day clash.
The 2021 Aiteo Federation Cup runners-up picked up a hard-fought point against Heartland FC after a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, a week ago, a result that infuriated the Bala Nikyu wards having led twice but unable to collect the maximum points on the road.
United hope to consolidate on that impressive start to the new league season against their visitors on Sunday afternoon.
Though Gombe United were held to a goalless stalemate by Shooting Stars FC at their backyard in Gombe, in their first game of the season since returning to the elite league, Nasarawa United are not oblivious of the threat the 11th-placed Savannah Scorpions pose. During their Aiteo Federation Cup Quarter final clash against Nasarawa United at the New Jos International Stadium on 23rd July, this year, a first half lone strike from Silas Nwankwo, ensured the boys from Gombe were dumped out of the FA Cup.
Temporarily sitting on 8th position on the league table, the Solid Miners would take the fight to their guest upon the blast of the referee’s whistle.
Coach Bala’s counterpart at the dugout, Aliyu Zubairu, would, however, will be banking on the quartet of Ibrahim Yahaya, Ahmed Jimoh, Samaila Bello, and Samuel Oyedeji to unleash mayhem on the home side.
With lots of options to pick from, Coach Bala Nikyu won’t be much bothered about the absence of left full-back, Paul Odeh, who was sent off in the clash against Heartland in Owerri, seven days ago.
Nasarawa United have full programmes of games to come over the coming days with a cheeky trip to Ikenne, Ogun State, for a clash against NPFL returnees, Remo Stars, on midweek(29th Dec.) before returning home to entertain 2020/21 league champions, Akwa United, at the Lafia City Stadium on January 2nd, 2022.
The team will then travel to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, for a date with Dakkada FC, on 9th January, and a North-Central derby at the Lafia City Stadium versus Lobi Stars of Makurdi on 16th January.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Nasarawa United FC, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, has told the Club Media that the players are yearning to win their first home game of the new campaign.
He disclosed this shortly after a closed door meeting with the players and officials in Lafia on Saturday evening.
According to the Club’s Supremo, he said, “I can confirm to you that everyone is ready to give his best to get the maximum points against our visitors.
“Our Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, will be marking his birthday on 26th December, the same day the team will be playing Gombe United at home. We have resolved to win the game and dedicate it to him as a birthday present.”
Barr. Danladi who recently had his tenure renewed as Chairman of NPFL Club Owners’ Association, stressed that the Solid Miners are working round the clock to surpass the performance of last season as they lay focus on winning a trophy or two this new league season.
The Nasarawa United versus Gombe United match is slated for the Lafia City Stadium, by 4pm.
