Defensive midfielder Moyi Hassan came off the bench in the 34th minute to replace injured Chidera Nduka and scored the only goal as Nasarawa United defeated Shooting Stars Sport Club 1-0 in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match at Lafia City Stadium on Monday evening.
After a goalless first half, Moyi netted from close range in the 66th minute with a powerful strike that beat Shooting Stars goalkeeper God'sGift Elkanah. The goal proved decisive as Nasarawa United climbed to the top of the NPFL table with 30 points, two clear of second-placed Ikorodu City FC.
Nasarawa United will face their neighbours Plateau United in Jos on matchday seventeen next Sunday.
The victory was celebrated by Nasarawa State officials including Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, Commissioners for Education and Commerce, Dr John Mamman and Hon. Mohammed Ottos, as well as Permanent Secretary Dr Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan and Senior Special Assistant on Sports Affairs Comrade Hamza Moyi. They joined the State Football Association chairmen Solomon Babanjah and Salisu Usman Galadima in supporting the Solid Miners.
Post-match reactions
Head Coach Abubakar Arikya said, "We are grateful to God for today's win which propelled us to the top of the table. We deserved to win because we played better, although our opponents gave us a tough match. We will now focus on our next game against Plateau United."
Shooting Stars Head Coach Nurudeen Aweroro admitted disappointment but remained hopeful. "It is a disappointing result, but we respect Nasarawa United. They played well and luck was on their side today. We will regroup and aim to improve in our next match."
Goal scorer Moyi Hassan expressed his excitement. "I am thrilled to have scored the winning goal, my first of the season. We worked hard, especially after our previous game in Delta State. Seeing our fans happy means a lot. I hope to keep scoring and help my team win more games."
Credit: Eche Amos, Director of Media, Nasarawa United FC
0 Comments