The Solid Miners, on Sunday, suffered a devastating 3-0 loss away to Kwara United at the Kwara State Sports Complex, Ilorin, during a Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 36 North-central derby clash.
After enjoying some early moment advantage, the Solid Miners found themselves trailing in the 13th minute, Jide Fatokum rising above everyone to power home a corner kick from Samad Kadir.
United tried to get back into the game and almost scoring, as left full-back, Ini Edem’s pistol shot in the 26th minute cannoned off the leg of a Kwara United defender to his frustration.
Ini again would find Adamu Hassan inside the box with a clever ball, but the latter was unable to execute his intention.
The attacker again missed from close range before Joshua Ogbole’s long range effort skidded over the cross bar.
Winger, Aliyu Abdullahi’s inswinging cross to the path of Chinedu Ohanachom saw the attacker missing a sitter.
Three minutes into the restart, Samad Kadir doubled the lead for the Afonja Warriors in the simplest of fashion after being laid through by Junior Lokosa, a goal that saw United’s players appealing for an offside.
Not deterred by the result, United pushed harder upfront and thought they had reduced the deficit only for Chinedu Ohanachom’s goal to be disallowed by the referee who noted that he spotted an infringement in the build up.
As the visitors were trying to come to terms with the decision, Kwara United scored their third and last of the evening, Junior Lokosa the joy killer.
Today’s result sees United pulled down to 11th position on the league table with 47 points, and will return home for another clash against northern opposition, Kano Pillars, in a week’s time, before rounding off the season with another long trip to Lagos to face MFM FC on 17th July, 2022.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS
Coach Bala Nikyu(NAS): “It’s really unfortunate that we lost today.
“We had a flurry of chances in the first-half but were unable to convert them. But that’s still part of the game.
“Yes, I missed the services of our leading goalscorer, Michael Tochukwu, but the player who played in that role did a marvelous job. In fact, I don’t build my team around just one player.
“This season has been testing for us unlike last season, but we take it in good faith even as we continue to work hard to stabilise ourselves in the League.”
Coach Lookman Ijaye(KWA): “It’s a nice game.
“We are grateful to see our fans back at the stadium to cheer us up. Their presence was a motivational advantage.
“As the season draws to an end, every team is giving everything they have. No team is a push-over, everyone is working hard to end well.
“Nasarawa United are not a write-off team at all. They gave us a very good fight for our money. They were just unlucky today.”
