2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 5: Solid Miners held to another frustrating draw

Posted : 07 October 2024

The Solid Miners were forced to settle for a disappointing 0-0 draw against Bayelsa United on Sunday afternoon in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League matchday five clash at the Lafia City Stadium.

Basking in the euphoria of their first win of the season in far-away Lagos against Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United entered today’s match full of confidence to continue their winning form.

Both sides created scoring opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough.

Free-scoring Anas Yusuf’s long-range effort went inches off target before the half-hour mark.

United’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima, was called into action for a series of saves as the game approached the break.

With neither side making any difference in the first forty-five minutes, it was the home side who threatened first in the second half. Umar Ibrahim could not believe his eyes when his goal-bound effort swerved across the face of the goal in the 46th minute, before Anas Yusuf’s shot was saved by the away team’s goalkeeper.

The home side struggled to penetrate Bayelsa United’s resilient defense, with goalkeeper Godgift Elkanah making a series of saves to deny the home team from scoring.

Kabir Balogun had three of his dangerous attempts on goal saved by Bayelsa United’s goalkeeper, even as the duo of Yahaya Ibrahim and Jawad Mustapha forced Mohammed Galadima into saves.

The final scoreline was nil-nil, as the search for the first home win of the current campaign by Nasarawa United continues.

The result leaves the Solid Miners in 11th position with five points from five games.

The team will be traveling to Ikenne, Ogun State, to face their next opponents, Remo Stars, on Sunday, Oct. 13, seeking to return to winning ways.

The coach of Nasarawa United FC, Kabir Dogo, expressed disappointment over the result.

"I am not a happy man because we couldn't break down our opponents. We created chances, but our finishing was off.

"However, I am proud of my boys; they were just unlucky today. If you look at our performance away from home, we achieve decent results, but back home, it's a different scenario.

"Though that's football. The league is improving, and what counts most now is for a team to play good football and score more goals than their opponents.

"With time, we will break the jinx and begin to win our home games.

"We will work on our attacking play and look to bounce back in subsequent games.

"We hope officiating continues as we are already witnessing; we should get something positive at Remo next weekend.

"It may interest you to note that the league is still very young, and no team can claim to be the favorites to win the league title.

"I wish to plead with our supporters and fans to be patient with us and pray for us because we are a young side working to form a formidable team that will make everyone proud."

Ladan Bosso of Bayelsa United said: "It's unfortunate for Nasarawa United not to have picked up three points today. It was equally unfortunate for us not to have picked up three points here. But God has His own way of doing things.

"Both teams are a work in progress. Both Coach Dogo (Kabir) and I need a little time to improve."

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 5: Solid Miners held to another frustrating draw

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