By Paul Michael
Nasarawa United kicked off the second stanza of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign on a winning note, defeating Katsina United 1-0 in a thrilling encounter at the Lafia City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked a perfect start to the new stanza for the Solid Miners, boosting their morale and confidence.
The match, played behind closed doors due to disciplinary measures, was a closely contested affair, with Nasarawa United dominating possession and creating more scoring opportunities in both halves. However, the home side also had to withstand intense pressure from Katsina United, with their defense proving resilient and brave.
The decisive moment came in the 34th minute when striker Qamar Adegoke scored a brilliant goal, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure. The goal was Adegoke’s third in United’s colors since joining the team this season.
Despite efforts from the likes of Anas Yusuf, Kabir Balogun, Abubakar Aliyu, and Chigoziem Salomon, Nasarawa United were unable to increase their lead. Katsina United’s Nazifi Yahaya and Kingsley Innocent came close to equalizing, but the Solid Miners’ defense held firm.
The win takes Nasarawa United to 19 points, while Katsina United drops to 14th position with 23 points. The Solid Miners will next face Shooting Stars SC in Ibadan on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
In his post-match reaction, Nasarawa United’s Technical Director, Kabir Dogo, expressed his delight with the win, stating that the team’s new recruits had easily adapted to their pattern of play. Dogo also reassured fans that the team would not be relegated, despite being perceived as relegation candidates.
Katsina United’s coach, Bishir Sadoki, attributed the loss to Nasarawa United’s desire to win, given their position in the league standings. Sadoki also lamented the harsh weather conditions, which made it difficult for both teams to play.
Qamar Adegoke, the goal-scorer, expressed his joy at scoring the winner and reiterated his ambition to become the league’s highest goal-scorer at the end of the season.
The win marks a positive start to the second stanza for Nasarawa United, and they will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.
