The Solid Miners as Nasarawa United FC are nicknamed suffered a loss in the just concluded 2nd edition of the Abuja unity Pre-Season Tournament final after going down 2-4 on penalty shootout to EFCC FC of Abuja in a pulsating clash at the Area 3 Football Field, Abuja, on Saturday afternoon.
After regulation time ended 1-1 apiece following a goal each by Masoud Danjuma of EFCC in the first-half and Joshua John of Nasarawa United in the reversed half, the eventual winners had to be decided by spot kicks.
After misses from Abubakar Abdullahi and Chinedu Ohanachom, EFCC FC who play in the Nigeria National League converted four out of their five spot kicks to be crowned Champions of the 2022/23 edition of the Unity Pre-Season Tournament.
It’s the second consecutive loss in the final for the Solid Miners in the Pre-season competition,the first being in 2021 at same venue.
United’s young sensation and Nigeria’s U-20 defence machine, Benjamin Frederick, won the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award after his scintillating performances at the tournament.
Nasarawa United will head to Jos, Plateau State, for close camping in continuation of their Pre-season activities ahead of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League Season .
POST-MATCH REACTIONS
Barr. Isaac Danladi(Chairman, NAS): “The Pre-Season is not all about winning or losing, but about assessing your team for the forthcoming league season, and so far, we have been able to identify our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and so on.
“So, I believe we have a lot of takeaways.
“From here, we are proceeding to Jos for a closed door camping before the league commences.
“By the time we are done with our Preseason tour, I believe we will come out with a very formidable team.
“So, there’s no cause for alarm. We will continue to smile and be expectant for the positives.
“Regarding the back-to-back losses in the final of this Pre-season tournament, I wish to thank God for taking us to this level.
“But note that he who fights and runs away will live to fight another day.
“When it gets to penalty shootout, it’s anybody’s game. So, there is nothing to worry about.
“Our aim is to play in the Continent, and this could either be through the league or Aiteo Cup.”
