Nasarawa United are on the verge of playing in their second Aiteo Federation Cup final following a narrow 1-0 victory over hard-fighting Nigeria National League side, Gombe United.
Red-hot Silas Nwankwo scored the only goal of the afternoon for the Solid Miners on the depth of the first-half after being released by defender, Tebo Franklin. It was the striker’s second Aiteo Federation Cup goal of the year.
With rain almost disrupting the second-half of the game at the Jos International Stadium, Plateau State, the Solid Miners had to fight with everything they got to maintain the scoreline against a Gombe side that came several times to forcing a leveler.
The victory means Nasarawa United will meet Sunshine Stars of Akure who pipped Kano Pillars 1-0 in the other quarter-final game in Lokoja, in the semi-finals at a yet-to-be decided date and venue.
Incidentally, Nasarawa United will play the same Sunshine Stars on Sunday, 25th July, 2021, at the Lafia City Stadium, in a league matchday 35 clash.
Only four matches are left to end the ongoing NPFL Season, and the Coach Bala Nikyu-tutored Solid Miners are currently occupying the 2nd spot on the league table with 58 points, six points lower than Akwa United who have 64.
CAUTION(Yellow 🟨 Card):
Ini Edem(NAS) 24′
Chidi Ernest(GOM) 29′
Ahmed Family(GOM)32′
Emeka Onyema(NAS)45+3′
Alege Abdulquadr(GOM)95+5′
Ahmed Jimoh(GOM)90+5′
NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP:
Mohammed Galadima(Gk), Chigozie Obasi, Emeka Onyema, Tebo Franklin, Ini Edem, Ikenna Ofor, Dauda Maigishiri , Michael Tochukwu, Anas Yusuf(Aliyu Abdullahi 72′), Silas Nwankwo, Chinedu Ohanachom(Adamu Hassan 88′).
UNUSED SUBS: Danlami Umar(Gk), Abubakar Abdullahi, Martins Owolijah, Evans Ifeatu, Bashiru Usman, Ewuga Philip, Mohammed Shammasu.
Eche Amos
Media Officer,
Nasarawa United FC.
23/07/2021.
