Nasarawa United head coach Salisu Yusuf has explained that his tactical prowess and half time pep talk was instrumental to his side’s comeback win over Lobi Stars in Enugu in a North Central derby.
At the Cathedral Stadium in Enugu, Nasarawa United staged an impressive comeback to win 2-1 against their neighbours, Lobi Stars, in a match-day 36 tie of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season on Wednesday.
Trailing at half-time through Japhet’s 4th minute goal, the Solid Miners showed remarkable resilience and determination to overturn the deficit.
First-half substitute, Shina Kumater, drew United on level terms, two minutes into the restart, before the league’s goal king, Anas Yusuf, sealed the victory with a clinical finish in the 58th minute, his 17th goal of the current campaign.
He said: “Yeah, we are grateful for today’s result. It was a very difficult game, you know. My boys were a little bit down, especially within the first twenty minutes, and we got punished for that.
“The entire team members were fatigued and highly overburdened after travelling to Gombe, then to Benin City, and now to Enugu.
“But during the half-time, we told the players to rediscover themselves and find a way back, knowing the situation we found ourselves, 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 instant responses early after the break.
“We are so excited about this result today. I met this team at the relegation zone, and without bringing in any new player, and other factors, we are able 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 are appreciative for the overwhelming support we always get from the fans in Gombe. They make Gombe look like our home.”
Nasarawa United will play their last home match of the season on Sunday, at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe against visiting Enyimba FC, before ending the season with a long journey to Port-Harcourt to take on Rivers United on Match-day 38 on 25th May, 2025.