THE Solid Miners bounced back from their last league’s 1-0 defeat courtesy of Kwara United to a convincing 2-0 victory over former Nigeria Premier League’s champions, Akwa United, in the NPFL match-day 32 fixture decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday evening.
The win came as fans returned to the Lafia City Stadium for the first time in over five months, following provisional approval from the League’s body following an appeal by management of the Solid Miners, after the purported mêlée that ensued between the home side’s fans and Rivers United’ accompanying officials on match-day 18 in 22 December 2024.
Centre forward, Ugochukwu Leonard, had put the home side on the driver’s seat, two minutes into the game’s kick-off, with a composed finish from close range.
Garba Mohammed, Idris Ajiya and Anas Yusuf each had their efforts on goal saved by Akwa United’s goalkeeper, Jean Efala, leaving the scoreline in favour of United till the break.
Disaster struck against the visitors in the 59th minute as they were reduced to ten men after Endurance Ebedebiri received his second yellow card booking of the evening.
After some tactical changes in the reversed half, substitute, Garba Abubakar, secured the win for the Solid Miners in the 84th minute with an easy tap-in from the eighteen-yard box after some goal-area scrambles.
United jealously guarded the scoreline and guaranteed an important win over the Uyo-based side.
The victory means the Solid Miners are back in contention to remain afloat in the elite league, sitting 16th on the log, with 39 points from 32 games, and will next host Plateau United on match-day 33 on 13th April 2025.
Coach Kennedy Boboye’s Akwa United, on the other hand, dropped to the red zone, following Sunday’s defeat.
Meanwhile, impressed with the performance of the Solid Miners against Akwa United on Sunday, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, has rewarded the team with the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00).
The elated commissioner made the pronouncement shortly after the game at the Lafia City Stadium.
Recall that, on Wednesday last week, the commissioner had rewarded the team with the cash sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand (N750,000.00), which represented One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00) for each of the five goals scored against Ijele FC in the round of 32 fixture of the 2025 President Federation’s Cup game played at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Stadium, Anyigba, Kogi State.
Hon. Kwanta, upon assumption of office, has made it his personal priority to motivate the team by giving financial incentives and other moral support for any goal scored per game and every victory secured.
For Mohammed Saidu Bashir, Nasarawa United’s Assistant Coach, “This is a great turnaround for us after the disappointing away loss to Kwara United on match-day 31.
“Akwa United are a good side. They are former league champions and we respect them for that. However, we needed the points today more than they did, even though we are passing through the same phase of beating the drop.
“We are so happy that we are back in contention to stabilise in the league, and we hope to continue with this great feat, beginning with our next home game against our next-door neighbours, Plateau United, this coming weekend.
“Also, it’s great to see our fans back at the stadium after the ban against them some five months ago. Their presence today was a huge morale booster, and we hope to see more of their support and high spirits in the remaining games.
“We thank everyone for their support and prayers always.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media