Nasarawa United edge Abia Warriors in epic match-day 2 clash

Nasarawa United have bounce back from a faltering start to their 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), campaign as they defeated CAF Confederation Cup-bound Abia Warriors on match-day two at the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State, North-Central, Nigeria.

United's Ugochukwu Leonard was the man at the helm of redemption affairs, as he scored the Solid Miners first goal of the season ensuring they bagged their their first nugget of victory, on Sunday.

 

The wonder goal came in the 10th minute of play as Leonard showed uncommon skill as he hit a jaw-dropping strike from inches outside the penalty box straight into the back of the net.

 

Adah Umar had found the freestanding attacking sensation with the ball in the opponents' danger zone, and he wasted no time in launching an unstoppable missile that beat Sharp Uzoigwe in goal for the Umuahia-based side.

With series of attempts on goal by either sides, it was the Solid Miners who proved superior, scooping all three points, as they made a swift recovery from last Wednesday's defeat to Niger Tornadoes on the road.

Sunday's result places United on 9th position with three points, with Abia Warriors on 10th position with same number of points.

The Solid Miners will next be on the road to Aba, the Abia State capital, to face 6th-placed Enyimba FC, over the weekend.

HEAR FROM THE ACTORS

✓ Mangut Mbwas - Utd:

"I am so happy with the three points.

"My players came out smoking from the first half, creating a lot of opportunities, even though our opponents also had their playing time, but I think we deserved the maximum points.

"However, I give respect to the opponents because they played as a compact, from the defence to upfront.

"We are still building our team because I am still new at the Club, but with time, we will get everything right."

 

✓ Ugochukwu Leonard - Utd:

"I am very happy today. This is my first goal of this season, and it eventually determined the scoreline and three points for my team.

"I promise to give my best at every given opportunity to make the team succeed this season."

★Imama Amapakabo - Abia:

"We lost, you know, but we have to go back to do a whole lot in terms of what we were able to do today.

"The game was ours to win or lose, but we were not clinical in front of goal, but I think we lost the game ourselves.

"In all, it was not a bad game, except for the scoreline."