Nasarawa United staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Lobi Stars 2-1 in a fiercely contested NPFL derby on Wednesday afternoon at the Cathedral Stadium, Enugu, during Match-day 36 of the 2024/25 season.
The Solid Miners were trailing as early as the 4th minute following a goal from Lobi’s Japhet but responded strongly after the break. Substitute Shina Kumater leveled just two minutes into the second half before league top scorer Anas Yusuf fired home the winner in the 58th minute—his 17th goal of the campaign.
The win lifts Nasarawa United to 11th on the table with 49 points, boosting their hopes of survival in the top flight. Lobi Stars, already relegated, remain on 25 points.
Nasarawa United will host Enyimba FC in their final home fixture on Sunday, May 11 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, before concluding their season away to Rivers United in Port Harcourt on May 25.
In recognition of the hard-fought victory, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, awarded the team Two Million Naira, while Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe contributed an additional Five Hundred Thousand Naira. The rewards were presented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, to the club’s chairman Solomon Babanjah and captain King Osanga (MON).
Post-Match Reaction:
Head coach Salisu Yusuf praised his players’ resilience and spirit:
“Yeah, we are grateful for today's result.
It's a very difficult game, you know. My boys were a little bit down, especially within the first twenty minutes, and we got punished for that.
"The entire team members were fatigued and highly overburdened after travelling to Gombe, then to Benin City, and now to Enugu.
"But during Half-Time, we told the players to rediscover themselves and find a way back, knowing the situation we found ourselves in, particularly at these dying moments of the league campaign.
"We told them to show the desire, hunger, and passion to change the rhythm of the game, and thank God we got two instant responses early after the break.
"I met this team at the relegation zone, and without bringing in any new player, and other factors, we are able to find ourselves where we are today.
"Against Enyimba in our next game at our makeshift home ground in Gombe, we will face the game squarely and go for the maximum points.”
With two games left, Nasarawa United’s fight for survival continues—but Wednesday’s spirited win proves they are up for the challenge.
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