Nasarawa United heads into the NPFL matchday 26 fixture against Warri Wolves with another supreme expectations to consolidate on their 100% home winning record since the beginning of the second stanza of the 2020/2021 league season.
After an unsavoury result in Katsina three days ago, the coach Bala Nikyu-tutored side are set to compound the woes of visiting Warri Wolves who are just one point shy of the drop zone with 27 points against the Solid Miners who are occupying the 4th position on the league log after 25 games with 42 points.
The first leg of the duo’s meeting in Ozoro, Delta State, ended 2-1 in favour of the Lafia-based team, with Silas Nwankwo and Chinedu Ohanachom the goalscorers for United after Uche Ihuarulam had put the Delta State team ahead in the first half.
Though not a strange terrain for the visitors, Warri Wolves have equally picked vital points in lafia, winning 2-1 during the inconclusive 2019/2020 league season.
Poised for a continental place, the Solid Miners are living nothing to chance to uphold their fine home form and today’s meeting against the Seasiders provides an ample opportunity to further actualize that.
From the players’ camp, mercurial midfielder, Ikenna Offor, who has scored five goals so far, is still nursing a knee injury as he is omitted from United’s line-up.
Left back, Ebuka Anaekwe, is also sidelined as he continues his recovery from a leg injury.
Tebo Franklin joins the list of injured players as he is omitted from today’s game, a second consecutive one, because he is feeling unwell.
First choice goalkeeper, Danlami Umar, remains on the bench as Nigeria’s U-23 team’s Galadima Mohammed keeps his 5th consecutive game of the second stanza.
Silas Nwankwo will be aiming to increase his goal tally from the eight he has so far scored while Chinedu Ohanachom returns to the starting eleven after missing the Katsina trip.
On the bench, former Plateau United hitman, Joshua Obaje, is included for the first time in United’s league game this season, while it’s the first home inclusion for Cameroonian attacker, Platini Kaham, having only come from the bench away to Kwara United and Katsina United respectively.
Coach Bala Nikyu maintains his 4-4-2 formation.
A positive outcome in today’s encounter for United will further push them towards the continental slot before hosting bitter rivals, Plateau United at the same lafia city stadium on Sunday.
From the fans’ projection, it’s a must-win game for the Governor A.A. Sule Boys today.
