A 25th minute long range free-kick goal by defensive midfielder, Moyi Hassan, after Musa Musa was fouled, was all Nasarawa United needed to scoop all three points off fellow Northern rivals, El-Kanemi Warriors FC in the curtain raiser of the 2023/24 Nigeria National League Super Eight Play-off game holding in Enugu.
The 1-0 lead game decided at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium (The Cathedral), Enugu, on Saturday morning is all the Solid Miners needed to reignite their ambition to return to the Nigeria Premier Football League next season.
In the fierce duel watched by a handful of top Government functionaries from Nasarawa State and spectators, the Solid Miners, as Nasarawa United are nicknamed, were more determined to change the rhythm following their unimpressive stint in the President Federation’s Cup where they were ousted by fellow 2nd tier side, Sokoto United in the round of 32 fixture.
Both Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors sized each other up for supremacy in Saturday’s clash with the expectations of headlining the Group’s standings, with the Maiduguri-based side losing an extra-time penalty kick awarded to them in what would have been a share of the spoils.
The Solid Miners who fancied the win would need one more win in the Group that contains four teams to guarantee qualification to the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier League.
Moyi Hassan’s spectacular performance for Nasarawa United saw him winning the Man-of-the-Match award, the first recipient of the gong in the Play-off tournament this term.
Sokoto United are the next opponents of the Solid Miners on Monday, 10th June, 2024, at the same venue by 1.30pm.
Source/Nasarawa United Media/ Eche
