By Eche Amos

A six-goal thriller saw Nigeria National League side, Nasarawa United, dramatically defeat Nationwide League One club, AYD of Doma 4-2 to secure the ticket for the final of this year’s Nasarawa State Federation’s Cup, formerly referred to as the Challenge Cup.

Reminiscent of their pedigree, the fighting spirit of the Solid Miners came to bear again on Monday to help them clinch the ticket for the final in the most dramatic fashion envisaged.

In what started like a one-sided game, United led through midfielder, Musa Musa, in just the third minute into the game as he pounced on a rebound before Ikechukwu Nnam drew AYD level with a powerful header in the 34th minute.

Chinedu Ohanachom’s superior experience came to bear as he gave United the lead again with a ferocious left footed strike in the 42nd minute, a scoreline that remained unchanged heading to the break.

Abubakar Allazi levelled from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after United’s match-day captain, Manga Mohammed, fouled an AYD attacker in the box to put the Solid Miners on the ropes.

But the equalizer could only last for two minutes as Anas Yusuf fired the Solid Miners back in front with a cheeky ball into the back of the net.

Substitute, Habibu Alakija, then wrapped up United’s place two minutes later, driving home a delightful pass to spark jubilant celebrations as the team seek to reclaim the title that slept off their grasps in 2023 to FC Basira.

Today’s result means Nasarawa United have gone six straight games unbeaten in all competitions, and would await the winners between FC Basira and City Rollers FC of Nasarawa Local Government Area in the second Semi-Final on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024, to clash with in the final slated for Saturday, 30th March, 2024, at the Lafia City Stadium.

The progression has equally guaranteed the NNL side one of two tickets from Nasarawa State for the National Federation’s Cup competition.

Returnee midfielder, Joshua Ogbole, won the Man-of-the-Matcu award after putting up a sumptuous performance.

He said he was in cloud nine winning the award.