NASARAWA UNITED SUFFER FIRST LEAGUE DEFEAT TO DAKKADA

*NASARAWA UNITED SUFFER FIRST LEAGUE DEFEAT TO DAKKADA*

The Solid Miners suffered their first ever League loss to Dakkada FC in the NPFL matchday five encounter decided at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday evening.

Against the run of play, the travellers were behind upon the blast of the whistle as Captain, Aniekan Ekpe sent goalkeeper, Ameh Godwin, the wrong way from the spot after his side won a penalty.

United drew level via a set piece twelve minutes before the break through inspirational midfielder, Michael Tochukwu, his second goal for Nasarawa United this season.

United wasted a flurry of chances, including a penalty miss by Silas Nwankwo in the 52nd minute after Ikenna Offor was brought down in the area.

Despite being a man down, and a late red card to already substituted Captain, Aniekan Ekpe, it was the hosts who claimed the maximum points through a late winner from Emmanuel Ayaosi, their first victory over the travellers in all competitions, and the result taking them to eighth on the log with seven points while Nasarawa United drop down to eleventh with six points.

Nasarawa United will return home for a North-Central derby against Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Sunday, 16th January, followed by another zonal derby, midweek, versus Plateau United in Jos.

*POST-MATCH REACTIONS*

Coach Bala Nikyu (NAS): “Football is a game you can never predict. The game has been played, won and lost.

“As for the penalty miss by Silas Nwankwo, any player can miss a spot kick, it doesn’t matter their pedigree. It’s just unfortunate that he missed it at the time that we needed it most.

“I think my boys got carried away by the change of venue, and felt they could just walk past Dakkada.

“Yes, it’s the second time my team is losing on this ground, but I don’t see it as a spell or a venue that has ill-luck against my team. You can lose a game anywhere.

“We will return to prepare for our next match against Lobi Stars.”

Coach Umar Danlami(DAK): “Generally, I want to give God the glory because it’s only through Him and His divine favour that you can come out of a match of such magnitude.

“But all things being equal, we fought and thought of getting something out of it, and we did at the end.

“We knew our opponents were going to come out stronger in the second half, so we prepared for it.

“In general, it’s a good game.”

*CAUTION*
(Yellow🟨 Card):

Pederson Ajong(DAK)4′

Uwana Asuquo(DAK)24′

Michael Tochukwu(NAS)56′

Samuel Akpan(DAK)63′, 64′

Abiola Ibrahim(NAS)74′

(Red🟥 Card):

Samuel Akpan(DAK)64′

Aniekan Ekpe(DAK)71′

*NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP* Ameh Godwin, Abubakar Abdullahi, Victor Collins, Manga Mohammed,Chris Madaki(Paul Odeh 90+9′), Aliyu Abdullahi, Dauda Maigishiri(Moyi Hassan 90+2′)Michael Tochukwu, Ikenna Offor(Alaekwe Chijioke 68′), Charles Eguavon(Ibrahim Abiola 68′), Silas Nwankwo(Shammasu Mohammed 90+2′).

*UNUSED SUBS* Danlami Umar, Osas Okoro, Ugochukwu Gabriel, king Osanga.

By Eche Amos