Coach Mangut Mbwas of Nasarawa United Football Club has lauded his side
for reclaiming the top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League after the 2-1 win against defending champions, Remo Stars Sports Club of Ikenne-Remo in a rescheduled week ten match played on Thursday in Lafia
Coach Mangut who was speaking during a postmatch conference said it has been very difficult for the team in the past three weeks, losing two matches before returning to it winning against the visiting Remo Stars
He also expressed confidence that Nasarawa United would get better in the side next home match against Kwara United of Ilorin
"It's been a very difficult period for us, especially the last three weeks, but we are glad to return to winning ways again.
"We lost two straight matches on the road, which was difficult to swallow.
"We believe that we will improve more in our next game against Kwara United, this weekend, even though we know that the league is getting tougher.
"Our game against Kwara is a different ball game in its entirety.
"We will approach the game with a different mindset because the next opponents are also a good side.
"We want to remain in contention in the league this season, which is why we are not taking any game lightly.
"The presence of the State's Deputy Governor in today's game was a huge motivation for us, and we are glad we made his presence worth the visit.
"We also thank the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Kwanta Yakubu, and other government functionaries, who came to cheer us to victory today, not forgetting our wonderful supporters and fans.
"We will continue to give our best to get the desired results."
Also speaking, Jofrank Istifanus was excited for grabbing the winning goal for Nasarawa United on his debut in Nigeria's top flight league
He appreciated the coaching crew and team mates for the opportunity given to express himself in the match
"It feels really wonderful to score my first goal in Nasarawa United's colours and in the league because this is my debut season in the elite league.
"I have been fighting for this chance, thank God I got it today, through the help of my teammates and coaches.
"The push from the first-half onto the second half was superb, which made me put in extra effort, and I got it.
"With today's goal, the door for more goals has been opened for me, God willing."
The Solid Miners had recovered from their last tragedy to reclaim the first position on the table of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign after coming from a goal down to beat the league's defending champions, Remo Stars 2-1, in a rescheduled match-day ten tie, decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The visitors, wounded and evicted from the CAF Champions League competition, opened scoring in the 5th minute through Michael Ibeh, following a defensive error.
The home side responded with a classy equalizer through John Joshua after a beautiful build-up in the 31st minute.
Both sides went back to the locker room with the scoreline tied at 1-1.
After effecting some tactical changes, Nasarawa United went ahead via player-of-the-match, Jofrank Istifanus, who tapped the ball into the net following a goal area scramble in the 72nd minute, situation that threw the Lafia City Stadium into raptures.
The Solid Miners, motivated by the presence of the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, alongside the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, State Legislator and Chief Whip, Hon. Larry Ven Bawa, and other high-profile personalities of the Nasarawa State Government, jealousy defended the 2-1 scoreline till regulation time, earning the maximum points and returning to the summit of the league table, with twenty-two points from eleven games, one more point ahead of second-placed Abia Warriors.
Nasarawa United will host visiting Kwara United on match-day twelve fixture on Sunday, 9th November, 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium at 4pm.
Meanwhile Assistant Coach of Remo Stars, Sulaiman Folarin said that the team remained committed to defending the league title , describing the match as very difficult
He added that the home side were lucky to have won the match because the Skye Blue Stars failed to take their chances in the match
Coach Folarin how ever promised that the grey areas would be corrected for a better performance in the league
"It's a difficult day for us here today, but it wasn't a bad game altogether, because both sides did their best, however, mother luck fell on Nasarawa United and they grabbed the three points.
"We lost many goalscoring chances in today's game, but we will return to our base to correct those grey areas.
"Our target remains to defend the league title.", he submitted
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