By Obaseki Anthony on December 20, 2019

Midfielder Abubakar Lawal’s 53rd minute penalty goal was not enough to salvage a point for Nasarawa United against their hosts, Adamawa United, during the match day nine tie of the 2019/2020 Nigerian Professional Football League decided at the Gombe Stadium, Gombe State, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

With both teams having a poor start to the season, losing both of their home games respectively, Nasarawa United took control of the game, with Tebo Franklin, Anas Yusuf, Fidelis Junior and Abubakar Lawal all coming close to scoring in the first 30 minutes.

Adamawa United, who are using the Gombe Stadium as their temporary home ground, opened scoring in the 40th minute after Idriss Abubakar benefited from a poor defensive clearance to give the Yola-based team some respite going into the half time.

Upon resumption, Abubakar Lawal registered his first goal of the season and drew Nasarawa United level from the spot when a former player of Nasarawa United, Amos James, handled the ball in his own box with the referee wasting no time to point to the penalty spot.

Ten minutes later, Idriss Abubakar would put Adamawa United ahead again with a solo effort that spinned past goalkeeper Mohammed Galadima.

In the 67th minute, Abubakar Lawal thought he had drawn Nasarawa United level again when he found the back of the net, only for his effort to be flagged offside.

The Lafia-based club kept the pressure on their hosts with Solomon Chidi’s header in the arc narrowly sliding over the bar in the 86th minute.

Godfrey West’s beautiful diagonal free-kick in the last minute of added time had no Nasarawa United player in the right position as the ball rolled out into goal kick, as the referee blew the final whistle in the tension-soaked encounter.

It was another tough result for Nasarawa United but Acting Technical Adviser, Abubakar Arikya, believes the team will overcome their current challenges.

He said: “We have not given up, despite the poor run of form. No one is happy with the results, but we are confident of turning our minuses to pluses.

“These are hard days for us, but we are calling on our teeming fans not to give up on us.

“We may not win the league title, but we won’t be relegated either, as insinuated by some feelers. Insha Allah, Nasarawa United will overcome her challenges.”

Nasarawa United will now wait for the double header crackers against Heartland FC of Owerri and Kano Pillars FC all at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday, December 22, and Thursday, December 26, 2019.

•PHOTO: Nasarawa United line-up

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 20, 2019

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