By Eche Amos, Media Officer, Nasarawa United FC
After last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Kwara United in Lafia, a resurgent Nasarawa United side, this evening, recovered from an early goal to beat Wikki Tourists FC 2-1 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, in the Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 21 fixture.
The host had gone ahead in the 22nd minute through a Manu Garba header off a cross from right full-back and former Nasarawa United player, Yinka Onaolapo.
The lead lasted for only eleven minutes as an in-form winger, Anas Yusuf, scored his second consecutive goal in United colors, as he made up for his earlier misses after Chigozie Obasi’s diagonal freekick caused some ripples around the goal area. Both sides went into the break with scores at 1-1 apiece.
2 minutes into the second half, red-hot goal machine, Silas Nwankwo, stunned the home fans from close range after he was picked up by a fantastic cross from the boot of pacy winger, Aliyu Abdullahi, from the flank, to net his eighth goal of the campaign for the Solid Miners.
Both sides injected fresh legs in the last quarter of the game, with Coach Bala Nikyu handing debut opportunity to the trio of Martins Owolijah, Tochukwu Michael, and Julius Agogo, but no further difference was made as the Referee signaled the end of the game, giving United their first-ever win over Wikki Tourists in Bauchi and their third away victory in the ongoing campaign, following previous victories over Heartland FC in Owerri and Warri Wolves in Ozoro during the first stanza of the league.
Today’s result which saw defender, Tebo Franklin, voted Man-of-the-Match, his fifth award this season, takes the Solid Miners to 5th position with 36 points, and will host Heartland FC on Sunday, 23rd May 2021, at the Lafia City Stadium.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS:
Coach Bala Nikyu(NAS):
“These are important points for us and we are happy about this.
“If we win our next game, we will be within the first three teams, all things being equal.”
Tebo Franklin(NAS/MVP):
“I’m grateful and I want to thank my teammates because this is a collective effort.
“We were very committed before this game and we needed the three points so much, so we had to give our best.
“I attribute my man-of-the-match achievement to hard work and endless prayers.”
CAUTION:
Yellow Card(🟨):
Anas Yusuf(NAS) 40′
Emeka Onyema(NAS) 48′
Julius Agogo Nuhu (NAS) 82′
Jibrin Abubakar(WIKKI) 84′
Adamu Hassan(NAS) 88′
NASARAWA UNITED FC LINE-UP: Galadima Mohammed(Gk), Chigozie Obasi, Tebo Franklin, Emeka Onyema, Ebuka Anaekwe, Anas Yusuf(Adamu Hassan 66′), Victor Okoro(Martins Owolijah 66′), Dauda Maigishiri(Tochukwu Michael 66′), Aliyu Abdullahi, Chinedu Ohanachom(Julius Agogo Nuhu 75′), Silas Nwankwo
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Danlami Umar, Abubakar Abdullahi, King Osanga, Bashiru Usman, Sadiq Abdulrazaq, Ini Edem.
