From Leo Nzwanke, Lafia
Nasarawa United Football Club demolished Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2020/2021 Matchday 31 encounter to move back to 2nd position on the log.
The match was played at the Lafia Township stadium on Monday, ended 3-1 in favour of Nasarawa United moving them back to second spot on the league table after falling down to fourth due to other results.
Daybreak news report that from the kick off of the match, the solid miners put up a brilliant performance, so much so, that they had a clear goal opportunity in the 1st minute but Silas Nwankwo facing the Jigawa Golden Stars goalkeeper in a one on one situation in the 18 yard box shot wide.
The top goal scorer made up for the miss after a shot had been parried away by the away team goalkeeper taking advantage of the rebound to tap in from close range in the 19th minute.
In the 31st minute, Nwankwo made it 2-0, increasing his number of goals to 13 and at present making him the highest goalscorer in the ongoing 2020/2021 NPFL season.
Daybreak news also reports that Nasarawa United took advantage of a counter attacking opportunity leading to Nwankwo facing the Jigawa Golden Stars goalkeeper at the edge of the 18 yard box as the last man.
This time around, Silas Nwankwo got the gaol, a thumping shot over the goalkeeper into the left hand corner of the net to make it 2-0 in favour of Nasarawa United.
It was a comfortable half time result as the solid miners took the 2-0 advantage, after dominating for 45 minutes.
Coming back into the second half, the home team got another goal by an excellent through pass by Aliyu Abdullahi to Adamu Hassan in the 18 yard box made it 3-0 in the 59th minute.
A consolation goal by the visiting Jigawa Golden Stars team before the final whistle was blown through Samuel Stone who was fouled in the 18 yard box prompting the center referee to award a penalty kick to the away side.
In the 86th minute, Stone stepped up and converted the penalty kick to make it 3-1 till the final whistle was blown.
Speaking to journalist after the match, the Solid Miners Head Coach, Bala Nikyu praised his boys for playing according to the game plan and securing another home victory for the club.
“If you get it right you should thank God. My boys played well today and i appreciate their efforts. This victory is a good one and our target of playing continental football next season has not changed.”
“By the table now, we have returned to the second position and we will continue to fight from there,” he stated.
Daybreak news reports that Nasarawa United are in 2nd position, above Kano Pillars on goals difference, Akwa United Football Club are on top of the league with their away goalless draw match against Plateau United at the weekend cutting the points to two points above Nasarawa united and Kano Pullers.
