By joshua 
Jubilation as Nasarawa United defeats heavyweight Kano Pillars 1-O
From Esther Akaa, Lafia
There was a great deal of joy in Lafia as Nasarawa United Football Club ( FC) defeated heavyweight Kano Pillars 1- 0 in the ongoing 2024/ 25 Nigeria Premier Football League ( NPFL) .
The home base match played on Sunday at the Lafia City Stadium enabled Nasarawa United to secure 3 points affirming their commitment to fight for the season having secured points during the matches played so far in the league.
Enthusiastic fans from all walks of life flocked into the game’s location to catch the glimpse of the star-studded contest, which included Super Eagles captain, Ahmad Musa , Rabiu Ali, the league’s oldest player and Shehu Abdullahi.
Anas Yusuf, the current rage of the moment, scored his ninth goal in nine Matches at the ongoing 2024/25 NPFL game in the 40th minute of the first half with a brilliant finish from a tight angle as the home team dominated the early exchanges.
Ahmed Musa and Rabiu Ali attempted to draw for Kano Pillars during the restart, but the resolute United team foiled both of their attempts.
Contrary to the pregame forecasts, the win moves Nasarawa United up to eighth places in the league standings with twelve points, while Pillars fall to 12th places with eleven points.
In a post match reaction, Nasarawa United coach, Kabir Dogo expressed delight over the victory as he lauded the players for their excellent performances during the game.
He said “It’s a result nobody expected us to get, especially going by the array of highly experienced players Kano Pillars paraded today, like Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi and Rabiu Ali, but glory be to God that we won at last.
“We would have recorded about three goals today because we dominated them in all facets and squandered some glorious chances, however, we are still comfortable with the one goal win which also equals three points.
“Our next game is against Rangers in Enugu next weekend, and we intend to approach the game as it comes.
“Regarding the invitation of three of our players for the Super Eagles’ B Team by the Coaches of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Football Team, we are so excited about the development and we know our players will make us and the country proud at the CHAN Qualifiers against Ghana, and equally help the country qualify for the CHAN Championship slated for early next year where it will be hosted by the trio of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
“With time, Nasarawa United will produce players for all the categories of the national teams.”
He, therefore commended the technical crew of the Super Eagles, the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation( NFF) and most especially the Nasarawa State Government for their continuous support and pledged his commitment to sustaining the tempo.
Nasarawa United will travel to face the league’s defending Champions and 11th-placed team, Rangers International, at the Cathedral Stadium, Enugu, on match-day ten on 3rd November, 2024.