2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 33: Nasarawa United FC claims bragging right over Plateau United FC in Lafia

Posted : 14 April 2025

In a nail-biting 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 33 fixture at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday evening, the Solid Miners emerged victorious over their North Central zonal neighbours, Plateau United, with a 3-2 win.

The five-goal thriller saw the Solid Miners claim regional bragging rights and bolster their fight against relegation.

The intense match saw Nasarawa United take the lead in the 22nd minute of the first half through the league's leading goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, who was found by Abubakar Aliyu. It was his 15th goal of the current campaign.

The hosts went 2-0 up nine minutes into the restart, as Ugochukwu Leonard deflected Anas Yusuf's left-footed effort into the back of the net.

Plateau United, however, regrouped and reduced the deficit through a solo effort by Vincent Temitope, who overwhelmed the backline before slotting the ball into an empty net in the 58th minute.

The home side increased their goal tally after Aliyu Abubakar's free-kick was parried into the path of Ugochukwu Leonard, who calmly buried it in the 74th minute—his second of the evening—before being substituted thereafter.

Drama ensued when the visitors were awarded a penalty one minute into the five minutes of additional time, but Vincent Temitope’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Detan Ogundare.

United, however, lost focus in the dying seconds of extra time, allowing the Jos-based side to further reduce the goal margin through Samuel Pam, bringing the full-time score to 3-2 in favour of the hosts.

The victory not only secured bragging rights for the Solid Miners but also provided a vital boost in the battle against relegation, as they now sit 14th on the table with 42 points—level with their beaten opponents, Plateau United—who are ahead only on goal difference.

The Solid Miners will next face Bendel Insurance in Benin City, Edo State, on Match Day 34. But before then, they will shift focus to the President Federation's Cup Round of 16 clash against fellow Premiership side Bayelsa United on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Stadium, Anyigba, Kogi State.

In a related development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has rewarded the state-owned Nasarawa United with the sum of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000.00) for beating Plateau United on Sunday evening in Lafia.

The Governor made the announcement shortly after the full-time whistle via the club’s official WhatsApp platform, where he follows the live text commentary on match days.

Part of the Governor’s message reads:

“Great game, guys!
Clean and authoritative win!!
N2.5 million from me to the team.
Congratulations, guys!!!”

Also, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, rewarded the team with the sum of One Million Naira for their feat against their next-door neighbours, Plateau United, on NPFL Match Day 33.

The Commissioner handed over the personal cash gift to the team during the half-time session of the game, charging them to continue to show commitment and resilience in their fight to avoid relegation until the final day of the league season.

He promised to sustain such benevolence in each of the team’s remaining games.

Coach Salisu Yusuf of Nasarawa United FC said:
“We are happy for the win. We worked so hard to win today’s game.

“I am really happy with the boys. They have done so well. They are applying everything we teach them in training, and I believe they are adapting quickly.

“I am not surprised that we scored three goals in this game, even though we lost concentration momentarily towards the latter stages of the match, which is dangerous. But this is football; it happens sometimes.

“For now, our focus is on the President Federation’s Cup Round of 16 tie against Bayelsa United on Wednesday. After that, we will shift our attention to the league game against Bendel Insurance in Benin.

“We approach each game one at a time, and we are ready for the challenge.”

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 33: Nasarawa United FC claims bragging right over Plateau United FC in Lafia

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