From Abel Zwànke, Lafia
Nasarawa United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over defending Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International, in a tense week 30 encounter at the Lafia City Stadium on Friday evening. The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when substitute Ugochukwu Leonard won a penalty, which Kabir Balogun expertly converted, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
The win lifts the Solid Miners out of the relegation zone, moving them to 15th on the table with 36 points, while Rangers remain in third place with 45 points. Nasarawa United have now maintained an unbeaten home record in the second half of the season, a sign of their growing resilience in the battle for top-flight survival.
The match was closely contested, with both teams creating opportunities. However, Nasarawa United’s determination to break free from the drop zone gave them the edge in the final moments.
Reacting to the victory, Nasarawa United’s head coach, Salisu Yusuf, acknowledged the pressure on his players but praised their fighting spirit.
“Playing against a top-three team is always difficult, especially considering our position on the table. The players were anxious and under pressure,” he admitted. “We had some good chances in the first half but couldn’t convert them. In the end, we won through a penalty, and it’s a good result for us. Rangers gave us a tough fight, but we remained focused.”
Looking ahead, Yusuf expressed optimism about the remaining fixtures. “We still have eight games left, and I believe we will continue to get positive results,” he added.
Rangers’ assistant coach, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, accepted the defeat, conceding that Nasarawa United deserved the win.
“Both teams played well, but at the end, Nasarawa United took their chance. We will return home, regroup, and focus on our next game,” he said.
The match had a notable presence in the stands, with the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, watching in solidarity with the Solid Miners.
Nasarawa United will look to build on this momentum when they travel to Ilorin to face Kwara United on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. With their survival fight still in full swing, every point will be crucial in securing their NPFL status for another season.
