Plateau United beat a resurgent Nasarawa United 2-1 at the New Jos Stadium to remain top of the NPFL log on Sunday.

Nasarawa have enjoyed a new lease of life in recent weeks after languishing in the relegation zone for most part of the season.

The Solid Miners had won four of their last five games going into this game. Moving out of the relegation zone for the first time this season after beating Rangers in a rescheduled game about two weeks ago.

Going into this game, Nasarawa were in 13th position, a spot that looked very unlikely till the recent turn of events.

Meanwhile, Plateau were unbeaten in eight games, winning five and drawing three, since losing to Sunshine Stars in Akure on Matchday 15.

Both teams had good results on Matchday 23. Plateau beat Wikki 1-0 in Bauchi while Nasarawa thrashed Katsina United 3-0 in Lafia. But Nasarawa’s victory was marred by the death of defender Chineme Martins who slumped and died during the game.

This wasn’t your regular NPFL Matchday. From all the players wearing black arm bands in honour of Martins to the minute silence before kickoff and the round of applause in the 20th minute (Martins donned number 20), the scenario evoked emotions.

But Nasarawa were desirous of getting a positive result not just to boost their survival hopes, but in memory of Martins noted for his calm disposition at the back.

The hosts were however not willing to take prisoners in their quest to consolidate their place at the top.

The reverse fixture had ended 1-1 on Matchday 4, a result that ushered in a plethora of unpleasant results that plunged Nasarawa deeper into the drop zone till the current resurgence.

A game against Plateau United is always one Nasarawa relished due to the states’ proximity and North Central rivalry but the Solid Miners had not had much to cheer from the tie in the past five seasons.

Nasarawa had not beating Plateau in their last 10 engagements before this one. In fact, they had not picked a point in Jos in their last five visits.

The visitors set out to banish ghost of the poor results against the Peace Boys but they were always going to meet a huge brick wall here. The game’s first attempt at goal came in the 4th minute from Plateau’s Sunday Anthony but his feeble attempt from Mustapha Ibrahim’s knockdown was easily picked by Goalkeeper Danlami Umar.

Eight minutes later, a lovely one-two exchange between Plateau’s attacking duo Abba Umar and Mustapha Ibrahim saw the former through at goal but his well-struck low shot was grabbed by Danlami.

Then in the 14th minute, Oche Ochowechi got to the byline, picked out Anthony but with Danlami already displaced, Anthony jabbed over the bar.

Nasarawa attacker Chinedu Ohanachom was having difficulties beating the hosts’ offside traps while Plateau laid siege on the Solid Miners. It seemed a matter of time before the hosts took the lead and in the 25th minute, Ebuka Anaekwe handled the ball in the box. From the ensuing penalty, two minutes later, Amos Gyang dispatched the ball to the roof of the net to give Plateau the lead.

The hosts were further spurred by the goal and in the 35th minute came a script from the training ground. Gabriel Wassa’s cross was nodded down by Umar for Mustapha who volleyed wide.

By Clement Nwankpa Jr

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Plateau United Continue Dominance Over Nasarawa United, Extend Lead At The Top