Match Report: Gombe United vs Nasarawa United

Recap

NPFLMD22: TEN MAN NASARAWA UNITED LOSE TO SAVANNAH SCORPIONS IN GOMBE.

The Solid Miners failed to make it their third consecutive win since the beginning of the second stanza of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League Season as they were subdued 3-1 by the Savannah Scorpions, Gombe United, at the Pantami Stadium in a rescheduled matchday twenty-two clash on Monday afternoon.

In a game that saw the visitors making early goal attempts with Sunday Okereke unable to convert three precious opportunities, it was Gombe United who took the lead against the run of play with a 33rd minute sublime finish from Abdulazeez Yusuf and an own-goal from Ini Edem, after the left back deflected Ahmed Jimoh’s ball into his own net five minutes before the interval.

Freestanding centre back, Victor Collins, lifted highest to reduce the deficit but his towering header went inches wide as the First-Half ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts.

It was game on shortly after the restart as in-form Aliyu Abdullahi buried a world-class pass from substitute, Shammasu Mohammed, past goalkeeper, Itodo Akor.

Substitute, Sani Abbani, compounded United’s woes, netting the home side’s third goal of the evening.

But things went from bad to worse for the Solid Miners in the 85th minute as central defender, Manga Mohammed, was shown the marching order after halting goal-bound Sama’ila Bello.

With some flashes of chances toward the latter stages of the game, United could not alter the scoreline as the centre referee signalled the full-time whistle, subjecting United to their worst result this term.

The team will return to their temporary home ground in Jos to welcome Remo Stars during the weekend.

Today’s result drifts the Solid Miners to 11th position with 28 points while Gombe United advanced to 9th with 31 points.

POST-MATCH REACTIONS:

Coach Balu Nikyu(NAS): “The game has been played, won and lost, and this is part of the game.

“We hope to immediately turn around the situation in our favour in our next game.”

Coach Aliyu Zubairu(GOM): “It’s a very good match though we expected it to be tough considering the outcome of the first-leg in Lafia which ended 1-1 apiece.

“They came to this game well-prepared and tried to cause some upsets but at the end we picked the deserved points off them.

“To be honest, there was too much anxiety in the game, and I must confess, Nasarawa United are one of the best sides in the league. They gave us a very good fight here on my ground.

“We dominated any team that came here, but the same could not be said of United.

“They are an attack-minded side who makes it difficult for opposition team.”

CAUTION:

(Yellow🟨 Card):

Abubakar Abdullahi(NAS)35′

Abbas Usman(GOM)62′

(Red 🟥 Card):

Manga Mohammed (NAS)85′

NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Danlami Umar, Abubakar Abdullahi, Victor Collins, Manga Mohammed, Ini Edem, Aliyu Abdullahi, Chidera Nduka, Dauda Maigishiri(Shammasu Mohammed 45′), Joshua Ogbole(Bello Abdullahi 70′), King Osanga(Nentaka Bangs 70′), Sunday Okereke.

UNUSED SUBS: Sunday Okoh, Osas Okoro, Paul Odeh, Ugochukwu Gabriel.