"We played against a well drilled and disciplined FULAFIA team", - Usman Adams

Coach Usman Adams of Nasarawa United has hailed the performances of the Federal University of Lafia boys after his side struggled to beat the University boys by 2 goals to nil at the Lafia City Stadium.

Ahead of the opening game of the 23/24 NNL season, Nasarawa United battled FULafia FC at the Lafia City Stadium.

In the keenly contested event, the University boys showed grit in early stages of the game but it was the Solid Miners as Nasarawa United is popularly known that went ahead through a rebound effort from Anas Yusuf after Joseph Omale saved King Osanga's initial shot. 

The goal however brought out the best in the Federal University boys as they pour men forward in search of an equalizer and they came close twice, first Isaac Jerry in goal denied Solomon Ityo from close range before Longji's effort went wild.

The University boys should had even the scored when Christopher Michael sent in a sweet pass to Solomon Ityo who rounded up the man in goal for Nasarawa United but Emeka Oyeama was at the right place at the right time to clear the goal bound effort in the goal line.

Fulafia boys kept asking all the questions but in the turn of the second half it was Hassan Adamu that came close for United after beating David Chuks for pace but Joseph Omale was on hand to race clear his line to deny the former Kano Pillars and Kwara United striker from increasing the tally.

The trio of Ogwu Agaba Edwin, Solomon Ityo  and Terry all made way for Shawrzak Dakum Zaks, Hassan Muhammad and Salim Abubakar and the latter made an instant impact when he took on Manga Muhammad to set up Hassan Muhammad but the attacker's effort was somehow deflected for a corner.

With ten minutes remaining, Nasarawa United got their second of the game when Sabo Akurba got to the end of an inswinger from Mubarak to chest home the ball beyond the reach of Omale.

Salim Abubakar thought he had gotten a consolation when he picked up the ball from Hassan Muhammad to skip past Manga Muhammad but his effort narrowly went off for a goal kick as the referee signaled the final whistle.

Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Coach Usman Adams while speaking with the Fulafia Director Of Sports Mr Simeon Onah, he revealed that the University boys gave him a good side despite not been a professional side, they gave him something to think about as they showed courage and discipline.

"We Played Against A very fit side today. Solid from the defense to their attack, a well drilled and disciplined side".

"You guys gave us a good fight, D match opened my eyes better to enable me adjust quickly with barely 2weeks to kickoff, He concluded".

As Nasarawa United continues with their build up to the forthcoming Nigeria National League, The University boys will also be preparing for the HiFL, NUGA games and the Mailafia.

ALGON/Engr AA Sule Unity Cup: Lafia, Awe, Karu, Nasarawa seal semi spots as race for top scorer heats up

Adams Jesse

The quartet of Lafia, Awe, Karu and Nasarawa have all booked their places in the semi finals of the ALGON/Engr AA Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup.

The tournament that began with thirteen local government teams cut across the three senatorial zones of Nasarawa State namely Lafia, Akwanga and Karu has been nothing but excitement for the locals who trooped in their numbers to support their respective local government teams.

Lafia, Awe, Karu, Nasarawa, Wamba, Akwanga, Keffi and Keana all made it to the quarter finals but the quartet of Keffi, Wamba, Keana and Akwanga fell along the way, leaving Lafia, Karu, Awe and Nasarawa to battle it out for the place in the final.

The semi final peering will see Lafia LG face Karu LG while Awe LG will test the might of Nasarawa for a place in the finals.

Karu's Hattrick Hero, Samuel Emmanuel currently leads the scorers chat with four goals while the duo of Saifullahi Saidu and Meshach Edwards of Awe LG and Akwanga LG respectively have three goals each.

With Akwanga out Saifullahi Saidu of Awe will have to rediscover his goal form if he truly wants to wrestle the top scorer award from the Karu man.

Local league is the foundation of football - Aisha Musa

 

Adams Jesse

In the world of sports, the place of supporters can never be overlooked as they play key roles in ensuring their teams do well in all areas they find themselves.

It is never easy when you see locals going as far as moving from one area to another just to vent their supports to either their wards or teams.

The same can equally be said of a certain Hajjia Aisha Musa, a football fan that is always present in all local football tournaments in and around Lafia.

A stunt supporter of Nasarawa United and FC Basira, Aisha also reveals her love for English giant, Manchester City as she says her love for local contents can never be overtaken by anything foreign.

"I support Nasarawa United Locally, FC Basira is also a favored team. While Internationally I support Manchester City".

"Football is my hobby, I love watching football both local and international, she says". 

"I simply love the game beyond limits".

"I've seen our youths football, because football brings people together but one thing is we must have sanity in football".

 "Because there are little errors here and there, but we need to try as much as possible to groom these youths to come out pure and disciplined. When I say pure, I mean coming clean in our football because local league is the foundation of football. So if there is sanity, they will come out clean and disciplined".

Aisha Musa however says she rates the ongoing ALGON/Engr. A.A Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup 70% as he has surpassed many people's expectations as it's aim of promoting peace amongst youths has be achieved.

ALGON/A.A Sule Unity Cup kicks off in Lafia as Awe LG share spoils with Obi LG

 

Adams Jesse

It was blitz and glitz as the first edition of the ALGON/A.A Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup get underway at the Federal University of Lafis's sport Complex.

The opening ceremony which saw Awe LG battled it out with Obi LG was attended by top government functionaries at the venue.

The ALGON/Lafia LG Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Muazu Maifata was on hand for the official kick off as with him were the Nasarawa State FA Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, his Vice, Alhaji Haladu Akwashiki.

The Obi LG Chairman, Mr Joshua Ozhe-Yekpowudu, Emir of Azara HRH Dr Kabiru Musa and The Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Hamzat Moyi were all on ground to witness the opening ceremony.

Saifullahi Saidu gave Awe the lead in the 10th minutes before Obi LG who dominated the game equalized in the 59th minute through a well placed penalty converted by Abubakar Arika as both sides shared the spoils in Lafia.

Speaking after the game, the chairman Nasarawa state FA, Mohammed Alkali disclosed that it was a thing of joy as youths from different backgrounds and local government are coming together to interact despite their ethnical, religious and political differences.

"I feel very happy to have staged this very first edition of the ALGON/ Engr. A.A. Sule Unity Cup as this has brought youths cuts across the different local government together in peace and of course in unity".

"Youth are said to be the bedrock of any community and this is part of Engr. A.A Sule's little way of encouraging sports at the grassroot".

"We hope to continue this tournament annually and we pray that future stars will break out, he concluded".

There are three centers, Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi Centers.

Next Doma LG will battle Lafia LG in Fulafia Sports complex while in Keffi Center Nasarawa will battle Karu as in Akwanga center Wamba LG will face Nasarawa Eggon.

Nasarawa wins duel of uniteds against Katsina

Katsina United again failed to get a result on the road after they fell 2 - 1 at Nasarawa United in one of the NPFL match day 15 decided at the Lafia City Stadium in Lafia.

Suleiman's lone strike returns Nasarawa United back to winning ways

Nasarawa United crawled back to reckoning in the Matchday 11 of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL with a nervy 1-0 win over 10 man Wikki Tourists thanks to Mohamed Suleiman's rebounded effort in the 48th minutes.

Achiv helps Nasarawa achieve first NPFL victory

By Wale Mustapha 

Creative midfielder, Douglas Achiv was the star man for Nasarawa United on Sunday as the Solid Miners ended their winless run to the new NPFL season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars.

Dogo debunks speculation of leaving Nasarawa United

.... says 'I'm going nowhere '

Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Suleiman Kabiru Dogo  has reassured Management and Fans of the Solid Miners that he is not leaving the Club against speculations.