In a tightly-contested affair that left the home faithful yearning for more, Nasarawa United’s title-chasing ambition fell short of seizing the Nigeria Premier Football League summit, succumbing to a sterile 0-0 stalemate at the hands of a rejuvenated Barau FC at the Lafia City Stadium in a rescheduled Match Day 18 decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Solid Miners, buoyed by a rich vein of form, had every reason to believe they could claim a routine victory.This was after having accumulated a string of impressive results in recent weeks, particularly the historic point against Plateau United in Jos, a week ago.
Nonetheless, a dogged and determined Barau FC, having recently found their mojo, proved a formidable obstacle, thwarting every attacking foray with a blend of grit, guile, and goalkeeping heroics.
Despite dominating possession and peppering the opposition goal with shots and efforts through Anas Yusuf, Ekeson Okorie, John Joshua, Garba Mohammed, and Jofrank Istifanus against Barau’s attempts by Stanley Oganbor and Nana Abraham, Nasarawa United’s profligacy in front of goal ultimately proved costly.
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They were left to rue missed opportunities and a failure to capitalise on their territorial advantage.Tuesday’s result sees the Solid Miners slip in their quest for the top spot as they now have 32 points from 18 games, with Rivers United now two points clear at the summit, with 34 points.A disappointed Coach Mangut Mbwas said Tuesday’s result was palpable, but noted the season is far from over.
Mbwas emphasised that Nasarawa United will regroup, refocus and plot their next move, especially their next away game to Kano Pillars on December 28, 2025 in their relentless pursuit of glory in the current 2025/26 NPFL campaign.
Midfielder, John Joshua of Nasarawa United, who was voted the “FANS’ MAN-OF-THE-MATCH winner for his stellar performance in the game, was thankful to God for the outcome of the game, but felt his side deserved better, stressing that they would turn the tide around, going forward.
