By Eche Amos

Twenty-four hours after a 0-2 loss to regional rivals, Lobi Stars, in Makurdi, Nasarawa United recovered from the painful outcome to revenge 2-0 in the reverse game decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Coach Usman Adams rotated the squad that played against the Makurdi-based side, featuring more of the established players in the first-half.

The home side who were dominant all through the game, however, could not find the back of the net in the first forty-five minutes, with Lobi’s quick response curtailed by the backline of the hosts.

With the introduction of fresh legs in the restart, the Solid Miners took the game to their opponents and thought they were in the lead in the 55th minute when left back, John Tsekaa’s goal was disallowed by the referee, sighting infringement.

Nine minutes later, captain, King Osanga who came on as a substitute, would deliver a scintillating pass to Kabiru Balogun at the far right with the right back tailoring an inch-perfect cross to the onrushing Ebenezer Odeyemi whose last touch flicked the ball past Lobi’s goalkeeper, Akor Itodo, to give United the lead.

The visitors’ set piece close to the edge of the box in the closing stages of the game could only ricochet off the tight defence.

The home side won a free-kick two minutes after the regulation time, and Kabiru Balogun shouldered the responsibility by placing the ball beyond the grasp of Akor Itodo, 25 metres away, to put matters to rest.

2-0 was the full-time scoreline in Lafia in favour of the Solid Miners as the team will proceed to Abuja where they are being placed alongside Like Minds FC, Atlantic Integral FC, Ejike Ugboaja FC and CKD FC in Group ‘A’ of the 3rd edition of Abuja Unity Pre-season Tournament.

United’s first game in the competition is scheduled for Monday, 12th August, 2024, against Ejike Ugboaja FC, by 4pm.

The Solid Miners were runners-up of the pre-season tournament after losing in the final 2-4 to EFCC in October 29th, 2022, after full-time score stood at 1-1 apiece.