BENDEL INSURANCE 0-1 NASARAW UNITED
(Garba 90+3)
By Our NPFL Correspondent
MOHAMMED GARBA was the name on everyone’s lips as the NPFL’s “Solid Miners” pulled off a daylight robbery in Benin City to remain at the summit of the table.
In a clash that looked destined for a stalemate, the young prodigy came off the bench to prove that timing is everything, smashing home a 93rd-minute winner that left the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in stunned silence.
Nasarawa United boss Salisu Yusuf played his cards perfectly. With the game locked in a cagey tactical battle, he turned to Mohammed Garba at the hour mark. The youngster had promised his teammates he would find the net if given the chance—and he’s a man of his word.
Deep into stoppage time, with the “Benin Arsenal” tiring, Garba pounced. A momentary lapse in concentration from the Insurance backline allowed the striker a sliver of space, and he didn’t need a second invitation to fire past a helpless Joshua Baba.
For Bendel Insurance, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Coach Greg Ikhenoba cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his side’s unbeaten home aspirations went up in smoke.
Despite controlled play from midfield maestro Christopher Ezinwa and the attacking threat of Kayode Solomon, the home side simply couldn’t find the finishing touch.
”We lost our focus for one second, and in this league, that’s all it takes,” a dejected Ikhenoba admitted after the final whistle.
The win cements Nasarawa United’s status as the team to beat this season. While giants like Enyimba and Rangers look to close the gap, the Solid Miners are proving they have the grit to match their flair.
NASARAW UNITED (4-3-3): Ogundare; Abbey, Onyema, Hussaini, Abdullahi; Utaka, Nduka, Ugochukwu; Yusuf, Garba, Manga.
BENDEL INSURANCE (4-4-2): Baba; Chigozie, Ugwuka, Enem, Okorom; Osahon, Ezinwa, Oritseweyinmi, Ajiboye; Solomon, Ogunye.
