By Eche Amos

The Solid Miners left it late to grab a point against Kano Pillars in a thrilling week three 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League encounter at the Lafia City Stadium.

Nasarawa United went into the game filled with confidence as they created the first chance in the 12th minute when fullback, Abdullahi Abubakar, breezed past Fahad Usman before driving a low cross to Ikenna Ofor as the winger’s one-time snap was parried to corner by Idris Ibrahim in goal for Pillars.

Nasarawa United would continue to ask all the questions as Silas Nwankwo and Ikenna Ofor both came close but their final touches couldn’t find the back of the net as the game went on recess.

Upon resumption, Kano Pillars went ahead through substitute Nyima Nwagua in the 46th minute after what United’s players perceived as a hand ball in the build-up.

Nasarawa United continued to dominate but unable to break down the Kano Pillars defence as Coach Bala Nikyu was forced to ring in some tactical changes as the duo of Adamu Hassan and Katoh Haggai came on for Chinedu Ohanachom and Victor Okoro.

Nasarawa United poured more men forward as Abdullahi Aliyu kept pressuring the Pillars defence but no one was able to divert home his crosses.

The Coach Bala Nikyu-led side kept pressing and asking all the questions as King Osanga and David Ehiaghe replaced Ikenna Ofor and Silas Nwankwo, respectively.

The changes proved vital as both players combined well to set up Adamu Hassan whose low shot evaded everyone as Nasarawa United levelled scores in the 82nd minute.

David Ehiaghe came close in the 86th minute when his headed effort off King Osanga’s cross went inches wide before Osanga’s last minute freekick rattled the bar from 23yards out as the referee signalled for the full time.

Coach of the Solid Miners, Bala Nikyu, was unperturbed by the outcome of the game, saying, “the result is ok. Football is all about winning, drawing or losing.”

He added that he had no reservations, but to look ahead for his next game.

His counterpart in the dugout, Lionel Soccia, praised the performance of his wards, describing it as “Great organization from my boys.”

Scoring against his former employers, Nasarawa United frontman, Adamu Hassan, told journalists that he felt “happy” and would never hesitate to do same whenever both teams meet in future.

United central defender, Tebo Franklin, who showed superb display described the game against Pillars as “Pretty difficult”, but hopes that the Solid Miners would redouble their efforts to return to winning ways.

The next NPFL fixture for United will be a midweek clash away to Adamawa United in Gombe on 13th January, 2021.