2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 36: Nasarawa United overturn one goal deficit to defeat Lobi Stars

Posted : 08 May 2025

In a nail-biting encounter at the Cathedral Stadium, Enugu, Nasarawa United staged an impressive comeback to win 2-1 against their border neighbors, Lobi Stars, in a highly anticipated derby match on Match Day 36 of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, on Wednesday afternoon.

Trailing at half-time due to Japhet's 4th-minute goal, the Solid Miners showed remarkable resilience and determination to overturn the deficit.

Shina Kumater, a first-half substitute, leveled the score just two minutes after the restart, before the league's top scorer, Anas Yusuf, sealed the victory with a clinical finish in the 58th minute, marking his 17th goal of the current campaign.

Wednesday's win further cements United's resolve to remain in the elite domestic football league. They now have 49 points and sit in 11th place on the league table, while already relegated Lobi Stars remain on 25 points from the same number of games.

Nasarawa United will play their final home match of the season on Sunday, 11th May 2025, at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, against visiting Enyimba FC, before ending the season with a long journey to Port-Harcourt to face Rivers United on Match Day 38 on 25th May 2025.

Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, rewarded the team with the sum of Two Million Naira shortly after Nasarawa United's victory over Lobi Stars in Enugu on Wednesday afternoon.

The Governor made the announcement on the official WhatsApp platform of the club, where he follows live updates of matches and other important activities.

The Governor had previously redeemed an earlier pledge of Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira after the Solid Miners defeated another zonal rival, Plateau United, in Lafia.

The Governor's Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, also rewarded the team with Five Hundred Thousand Naira for defeating Lobi Stars in Enugu.

The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, presented the money to the team's Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, and Captain, King Osanga (MON), on behalf of the Governor and Deputy Governor.

Salisu Yusuf, Nasarawa FC's coach, said he was ecstatic about the result.

"Yes, we are grateful for today's result.

"It's a very difficult game. My boys were a little bit down, especially in the first twenty minutes, and we got punished for that.

"The entire team was fatigued and overburdened after traveling to Gombe, then to Benin City, and now to Enugu.

"But at halftime, we told the players to rediscover themselves and find a way back, knowing the situation we were in, particularly at these dying moments of the league campaign.

"We told them to show the desire, hunger, and passion to change the rhythm of the game, and thank God we got two immediate responses right after the break.

"We are so excited about this result today.

"I met this team in the relegation zone, and without bringing in any new players, and with other factors, we have managed to find ourselves where we are today.

"Against Enyimba in our next game at our makeshift home ground in Gombe, we will face the game squarely and go for the maximum points.

"We appreciate the overwhelming support we always get from the fans in Gombe. They make Gombe feel like our home."

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 36: Nasarawa United overturn one goal deficit to defeat Lobi Stars

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