Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Sunday scored late to earn a 1-0 win over visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in a thrilling encounter.
The 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 15 encounter, watched by a huge crowd, was played at the Lafia Township Stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that before the encounter, 3SC had played six games unbeaten in the league.
They were in fine form against their resilient hosts who were desperate for a win to move up the log table.
NAN reports that in spite of no goal being scored till late in the match, the thrilling encounter was filled with a lot of missed chances by the home team.
The solid defending by the away team also forced many home supporters to applaud 3SC for their fine display.
However, when it seemed most likely that 3SC would extend their unbeaten run and pick a point like they did last season at the Lafia Stadium, Zenke Thomas struck.
He scored from close range in the 84th minute to send the home fans wild with joy.
Speaking to newsmen after the game, Head Coach of 3SC, Fatai Amoo, applauded both teams for their sportsmanship and resilience but rued his team’s lost chances and their late breakdown.
Amoo said: “That is football for you. Honestly, Nasarawa United worked hard for the win. They never gave up and eventually got the goal.
“But in my opinion, we were denied a penalty kick in the first half. However, I am not the referee.”
Also speaking to newsmen, Seun Akinyemi, the captain of 3SC, described the defeat as a big shock given the efforts put in by his team to take something from the game.
Akinyemi said: “We started the game very well. So, till now I can’t believe we lost the game.
“But we thank God that we gave a good performance. We are going back to our home to fight for three points.”
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