Nasarawa United came from behind to beat Enyimba 2-1 at the Lafia Township Stadium on Wednesday.
For the Solid Miners, it was a perfect way to avenge last season’s home defeat to eight-times league winners.
However, Enyimba will look back with big regret as individual errors cost them what should have been a sweet victory.
Enyimba started the game on a high note – scoring as early as in the 13th minute through Victor Mbaoma following a goal-mouth scramble.
The lead lasted for just five minutes as Nasawara United hit back in the 18th minute. Debutant, Tolulope Oluwole pounced on an uncleared free-kick from Michael Tochukwu to restore parity.
Nasawara United took charge of the game after their equaliser and they were unlucky not make it 2-1 before half time break as Obioma Emeka’s strike hit the upright of the post.
Chris Madaki also caused Enyimba all sort of problems with his long range efforts, but nothing came out of the avalanche of chances created.
Both sides restarted the second-half on a high pace, United, after some substitutions, posing more threat up front.
Lawal Shehu was teed up by Michael Tochukwu after some beautiful football from the home side but the attacker’s effort from the final third got cleared out of the danger zone.
Few moments later, Ikenna Offor was the recipient of a delightful pass from Lawal Shehu, with the former locating Tolulope Oluwole inside the box, only that the debutant’s strike was devoid of the killer venom.
The twice Confederation of Africa Football(CAF) premier Champions League Winners regrouped, turning defence to attack. Austin Oladapo benefiting from an angle pass before releasing a thunderbolt, but like his previous efforts, the shot went haywire for a goalkick.
Coach Bala Nikyu of Nasarawa United introduced Shammasu Mohammed for Ikenna Offor towards the end of the game and the striker became the hero as he netted the winner in the added time.
Shammasu Mohammed scores from close range after being teed up by in-form right-back, Abubakar Abdullahi.
The result sees Nasawara United move to 10th position from 11th, with 15 points, seven points behind league leaders, Rivers United FC while Enyimba remain 5th with 16 points.
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