Head Coach of Nasarawa United, Salisu Yusuf, has reaffirmed his team's determination to fight for survival in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Rangers International. The win lifted the Solid Miners out of the relegation zone, giving them a fresh boost in their campaign.
The highly intense fixture at the Lafia City Stadium saw Nasarawa United claim all three points in dramatic fashion. A late penalty, converted by Kabir Balogun in the 89th minute, sealed the win over the defending champions, Rangers. The penalty was awarded after substitute Ugochukwu Leonard was headbutted inside the box, sparking protests from the visitors.
Salisu Yusuf acknowledged the difficulty of playing against a top-three side like Rangers, especially given Nasarawa United’s precarious position on the table. He admitted that anxiety affected his players in the first half, leading to missed opportunities. Despite this, he was pleased with the team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on a decisive moment in the game.
"You could see what happened in the first half when they were supposed to score on three occasions but were jittery," Salisu noted. "We created some great chances, but we ended up winning with a penalty, which, to me, is a good result."
The coach also pointed out that Rangers had an advantage in terms of rest days leading up to the fixture. However, he commended his players for standing firm and securing a much-needed victory. "Rangers gave us a good fight. They had more resting days compared to us. But let me say it's a fantastic game," he added.
With this victory, Nasarawa United now sit in 15th place on the NPFL table with 36 points, escaping the relegation zone for the time being. Meanwhile, Rangers remain in third place with 45 points, keeping their title defense hopes alive despite the setback.
The Solid Miners will now shift their focus to their upcoming fixture against Kwara United in Ilorin. Salisu emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum in the remaining eight games of the season. "We will continue to push on because we still have eight games left, and I believe we will continue to have positive outcomes in the remaining games," he said.
Nasarawa United’s victory has injected new hope into their survival battle, but the fight is far from over. With several teams closely battling to avoid relegation, every point will be crucial in the final stretch of the season.
Fans of the Solid Miners will be hopeful that this win marks the beginning of a strong run of form. The upcoming clash against Kwara United will be another stern test, as both teams look to secure vital points in their respective campaigns.
As the NPFL season enters its decisive phase, Nasarawa United will need to build on this performance and maintain their fighting spirit to ensure safety by the end of the campaign.
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