In an intense opening match of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, Nasarawa United shared the spoils with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in a 1-1 draw at the Lafia City Stadium. The game marked the return of Coach Kabiru Dogo to the Nasarawa United dugout, and it was a homecoming filled with mixed emotions as his side dominated the proceedings but ultimately had to settle for a point.
A Promising Start, But Missed Opportunities
Solid Miners seized control of the game. The home side dictated the pace early, launching attack after attack against their visitors. Terdoo Shimagande nearly opened the scoring in the 4th minute when he connected with a pass from Habibu Alakija, only to see his effort narrowly miss the target.
Nasarawa United continued to ask questions of the Shooting Stars defense, with Anas Yusuf coming close after a clever pass from Adamu Hassan, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Mustapha Lawal in the visitors' goal. The pressure was relentless, and the home team’s defense, marshaled by Ameh Godwin, kept the Shooting Stars at bay, denying Bolaji Sakin a chance to score.
By the end of the first half, it was evident that Nasarawa United had created the more significant opportunities, yet they had failed to convert them into goals. Despite this, there was a palpable sense of optimism among the home fans, as Coach Kabiru Dogo prepared to make tactical changes to unlock the game.
Tactical Adjustments and a Deserved Lead
Coach Kabiru Dogo’s decision to bring on Ada Ibrahim Umar and Charles Nonso at the start of the second half injected fresh energy into Nasarawa United's attack. The substitutions paid off almost immediately, as both players combined to win a penalty in the 57th minute. Charles Nonso's pass found Ada Ibrahim, who was brought down in the box by Desmond Ojietifian of Shooting Stars, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty.
Anas Yusuf stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly sent the visitors' goalkeeper, Anozie Chinedu, the wrong way. The Lafia City Stadium erupted with cheers as Nasarawa United took a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal was a reflection of the home side's persistent pressure and attacking intent.
Late Drama as Shooting Stars Steal a Point
Despite taking the lead, Nasarawa United struggled to find the killer touch to put the game beyond the reach of Shooting Stars. The attacking trio of Charles Nonso, Anas Yusuf, and Ada Ibrahim missed several close-range chances, which could have buried the game. As time wore on, the lack of clinical finishing began to weigh heavily on the Solid Miners.
With just minutes remaining, Shooting Stars capitalized on a momentary lapse in concentration from Nasarawa United. In the third minute of added time, substitute Samuel Ayanrinde found the back of the net, converting a corner kick to level the score. The equalizer stunned the home crowd and allowed the visitors to snatch a hard-earned point from the jaws of defeat.
Coach Dogo's Post-Match Reflections
Following the match, Coach Kabiru Dogo praised his players for their efforts while lamenting their missed opportunities. "I'm full of praises for my boys as they put in their best, but came short in terms of experience," Dogo remarked. He acknowledged that while Shooting Stars were fortunate to secure a draw, the inexperience of his players, many of whom are new to the top tier, played a crucial role in the result.
"For me, I will say 3SC were just lucky today because if you look at the number of chances we failed to convert compared to the two Shooting got, and scored one, you will agree with me that experience played a key role in them getting a point today," he continued. Despite the outcome, Coach Dogo remained positive about the team's prospects, emphasizing that with more time and training, the squad would improve.
Dogo expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the fans, stating, "I love the atmosphere. The reception from the fans is overwhelming. Nasarawa United will need more of such support from the supporters and fans to succeed as the season wears on." He reiterated his affection for Nasarawa State, which he considers his second home, and his respect for the state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for his efforts in sports development.
Anas Yusuf: Man of the Match
Anas Yusuf's performance did not go unnoticed, as he was named the Infinix Mobility/SWAN Nasarawa State Man-of-the-Match for his crucial goal and overall impact on the game. His composure in converting the penalty and his energetic display in midfield were vital to Nasarawa United's strong performance.
Looking Ahead: Next Challenge for Nasarawa United
With the opening match behind them, Nasarawa United will now turn their attention to their next fixture against Niger Tornadoes FC at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Sunday, September 15th. The team will be looking to build on their performance against Shooting Stars and secure their first win of the season. Coach Dogo and his players remain determined to show their mettle as the season progresses, hopeful that their hard work will soon translate into victories.
Conclusion
The 1-1 draw against Shooting Stars was a game filled with promise and lessons for Nasarawa United. While they left the pitch with only a point, the team's performance under returning coach Kabiru Dogo provided glimpses of what could be a strong season ahead. With continued support from fans and further development of the squad, Nasarawa United looks poised to make a statement in the 2024/25 NPFL season.
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