By Chigozie Chukwuleta
Nasarawa United chairman Solomon Babanja says the club targets a continental ticket through the Federation Cup after the team edges Rivers United on penalties in their round of 16 clash.
The pulsating encounter took place at Awka Stadium on Saturday, June 6.
Mr Babanja admits the 2-0 lead should have ended the game in regulation time. “I am happy but this is a game we are supposed to wrap up within regulation time. We were not supposed to enter into penalties,” he states.
He attributed the late equalizer to human error, but commends Rivers United as “one of the best teams in the country” and calls the penalty win “luck.”
Despite the scare, the chairman expresses pride in the players’ performance.
“We dominated the game but human error crept up which can happen to anyone. Even the best coaches in the world make mistakes. We will go home and build on the positives of this game and work on the negatives.”
Babanja said the team turns focus to the quarter-final North Central derby against Plateau United which will be hosted by in Abuja.
He said the team takes games one at a time. “By the grace of God we will come all out and see how we can scale through to the next round,” he said
The chairman also reflects on Nasarawa United’s league season, which ended in disappointment despite early dominance. He noted that the team held first and second positions for long but lost four key players including Anas Yusuf, Garba Mohammed, and Ekeson Okorie, which affected their results.
With the league gone, Babanja said the Federation Cup now offers a path to Africa. “So we want to see how we can use the FA Cup to get to the continent by the grace of God.
He appreciated the Awka football family for “overwhelming support” and thanks Anambra FA chairman Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi for the hosting.
