By Eche Amos, Media Officer, Nasarawa United FC.
Nasarawa United’s dream start to the season continues as they played out a goalless draw against Adamawa United, as 2020/2021 NPFL Season entered week four.
Nasarawa United took the game to the hosts in the early moments of the game as the team was awarded a 21st-minute penalty after Jibrin Abubakar apprehended Chinedu Ohanachom who was clear on goal.
Reuben Nicodemus stood to take the resultant penalty but Victor Philemon in goal denied the Solid Miners with a point-blank safe as he parried the ball for a corner.
From then on, it was a one-sided affair as Nasarawa United dominated but were unable to take advantage of their chances in the first 45 minutes.
Adamawa United came all out in the second half as Danlami Umar denied the hosts a couple of times with some eye-catching saves before Adamu Hassan came close, but his effort couldn’t find the back of the net.
Ikenna Ofor became the culprit when he could not head past Victor Philemon after some fancy footwork from Reuben Nicodemus.
In an attempt to get a win, Bala Nkiyu brought in Osanga, David and Silas in an all-attacking substitution as the story became the same.
Ehiaghe David should have stolen the show at the dying moments but his weak header fell into the waiting hands of Victor Philemon, who was voted Man-of-the-Match, as Adamawa United continued to search for their first home win of the season, while the Solid Miners maintained their unbeaten run into the league season.
Not happy with the outcome of the game, Coach Bala Nikyu said, “That’s the game of football, even though it was not what I bargained for.
“If we had played half of what we played against Pillars, we would have won.
“The draw, to me, is disappointing.”
His opponent at the dugout, Ibrahim Bello Shehu, said he was happy that the game ended peacefully.
“We thank God that there were no serious injuries. Everybody is fine.”
Tebo Franklin raised optimism that the Solid Miners would change the narrative, going forward.
“Definitely, we won’t bring our arms down. We need to still keep working hard, that is the key.
“We are not disappointed, but we are equally not satisfied.
Katsina United are the next opponents of Nasarawa United at the Lafia City Stadium, come Sunday, 17th January, 2021.
NASARAWA UNITED FC X1: Danlami Umar, Ibrahim Matthew(Abubakar Abdullahi 57′), Reuben Nicodemus ,Abdulrazak Sadiq, Uzochukwu Austin Chigozie, Franklin Tebo, Aliyu Abdullahi Adam, Haggai Katoh(Victor Okoro 78′), Adamu Hassan(David Ehiaghe 78′), Chinedu Ohanachom(Silas Nwankwo 57′), Ikenna Offor(King Osanga 78′).
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Galadima Mohammed,Emeka Onyema, Ebuka Anaekwe, Dauda Maigishiri.
CAUTION:
(Yellow Card):
Mbai Aminu(Adamawa Utd) – 17′
Tebo Franklin(Nasarawa Utd) – 18′
(Red Card):
Adamawa United: Nil
Nasarawa United: Nil
