Nasarawa United’s quest to move up the ladder of the Nigeria Professional Football League hit rock bottom on Wednesday evening.
With the Executive Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, alongside a few government functionaries on ground to cheer the home side, The Solid Miners shockingly lost 1-2 to visiting Enyimba of Aba at the Lafia City Stadium as matchday eight action resumed across the nation.
Against the run of play, the People’s Elephants took the lead within sixteen minutes in a bizarre manner after defender, Abubakar Abdullahi, clawed Tosin Omoyele’s cross into his own net.
Four minutes later, the Lafia side restored parity through the in-form attacker, Chinedu Ohanachom, after he benefited from Haggai Katoh’s flicker within the box.
Enyimba, however, doubled their lead from the spot through Cyril Olisema after Uzochukwu Chigozie brought down Anayo Iwuala in the 18 yards in the 32nd minute, with Nasarawa United going into the break trailing the eight time league champions.
Coming back from the half-time, the visitors’ Anthony Omaka received the marching order after he punched Chinedu Ohanachom in the neck in the 61st minute, reducing the Aba Elephants to ten men.
Coach Bala Nikyu rang in some changes in search of the equalizer, and possible victory, as they dominated possession, but all to no effect.
2-1 it ended in favour of Enyimba, as the Solid Miners lost their first home game, this campaign, and their second defeat in all games this season.
The result means Enyimba tops the league table with 18 points while Nasarawa United slips to the 6th position with 14 points.
Nasarawa United next play Rivers United on Monday, 8th February 2021, in Port-Harcourt, in a rescheduled tie.
