After over two months break to get over the shock of missing out on the continent, Nasarawa United are fully back in training as they prepare for the 2021/2022 NPFL Season.
The Solid Miners are currently participating in the Unity Cup Preseason Tournament in Abuja, with their first game against Cynosure FC ending 1-1 apiece at the Area 3 Football Pitch, Garki.
Coach Bala Nikyu and his staff started a line-up almost completely bereft of first-team players, giving plenty of the newly recruited players the opportunity to try and impress.
United’s first opportunity to score came on the third minute when Tolu Oluwole ventured deep into the opponents’ box before his free header went narrowly over the bar moments later, while at the other end, Kenneth Nze missed a huge chance for Coach Festus Allen’s side.
The Solid Miners continued to press for a goal and they finally got it as Tolu Oluwole made up for his misses six minutes before the half-time whistle, with the Lafia-based side holding onto the slim lead going into the break.
Both sides affected some changes as they sized each other up, with Cynosure spurning two excellent chances – one of them parried away by Sunday Okoh in goal for United, while substitute, Osas Okoro’s cross-in came with little venom within the space of a few minutes sandwiching some ambitious efforts from Cynosure’s duo of Nze Kenneth and Lawrence Goja.
In the closing stages of additional minutes, the last push from Cynosure from the corner area courtesy of Chiamaka saw the Ebonyi State-based side drawing level through James Hope who came off the bench, with the scoreline remaining that way until regulation time.
Head Coach of Cynosure FC, Festus Allen, was issued a straight red card after exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior against the match officials.
Nasarawa United will next be in action in the preseason tournament on Monday, 1st November, against Mavlon FC at 4 pm, before wrapping up their Group ‘A’ business on Tuesday morning against Fosla Academy.
At the post-match interview, Assistant Coach Stephen Moga of Nasarawa United said, “This is a preseason game and the essence is to use it to assess our players, especially the newly recruited ones ahead of a major task, which is the league.
“We have some areas that need redress before going for our next game, and hopefully, we will do better.
“Cynosure is not a bad side, and they have been together for a very long time. They gave a good account of themselves, but I am optimistic we will do better in our remaining Group Games”, he concluded.
By Eche Amos Media Officer, Nasarawa United FC
