Struggling Nasarawa Plans Turn Around

By Adams Jesse

The Lafia City Stadium comes alive on Thursday as Nasarawa United play hosts to Akwa United.

Nasarawa United have been far from impressive this season with only 10 points from a possible 30 and managing to pick just a win in their last five games.

The players know very well that this game is a non negotiable tie and they have promised to go for the three points at stake.

Coach Kabiru Dogo believes his wards are in the best of shape to put the three points in the kitty.

“We played against Akwa United three times last season losing one, drew at our adopted home and defeated them to advance to the semi finals of the Federation Cup last season.

“So they are a team we know very well from last season and with God’s help we will get the win come on match day”, he concluded.

Akwa United will be buoyed by their recent upturn in form going three games unbeaten and also their head to head record against the Solid miners as Nasarawa United are widely known.

The Akwa warlords have lost only once in their previous four games against the solid miners with Cyril Olisema amongst the goal scorers, a player Nasarawa United back line lead by Emmanuel Makama will have to be weary of if they want to keep Akwa United attack silent all through the game.

Head Coach of Akwa United Coach Abdul Maikaba believes his charges are positive of getting a result in Lafia sighting his team’s resurgence in front of goal as a key factor in getting the job done.

“We are impressed that goals are beginning to come and our team is such that any player can score at anytime in a match.

“We will approach the match with a positive mind set because we are ready to fight for the three points on deck”, he concluded.

As expected Abdulrahman Bashir and Emmanuel Benson will sit out this one due to hamstring injury and malaria fever respectively.

Other than that all Nasarawa United players are in good shape for the game while Akwa United have chosen to go with the same 18 players that thrashed Akwa United 3-1 in Uyo last week.