NPFL: Kabiru Dogo disappointed by loss to former team

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of Nasarawa United, Kabiru Dogo is not a happy man after a 1-0 loss to his former team, Kwara United at home on Sunday.

The Solid Miners bowed to a disappointing 0-1 defeat against North Central Zonal rivals, Kwara United, in Sunday’s highly anticipated derby match in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Lafia City Stadium.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, the hosts could not find the back of the net, while the visitors capitalized on a solitary chance to seal the victory.

“It was a disappointing result for us even though we played well,” Dogo said after the match.

“I believe we will get things right. We didn’t take our chances especially in the second half when our opponents were a man down with a red card.

“They had just one or two chances and took advantage of that. We take it in good faith and look forward to bouncing back in our next game.” He concluded.

The game started with both sides displaying high intensity, but it was Kwara United who drew the first blood courtesy of Nasarawa United’s former striker, Emmanuel Ogbole, as the first half ended with the Solid Miners trailing 0-1 before their home fans.

Upon resumption, Nasarawa United pushed hard for an equalizer, with Anas Yusuf, Chinonso Okonkwo, Kabir Balogun, Shina Kumater, and Shammasu Mohammed all coming close, but the Afonja Warriors’ goalkeeper, Nurudeen Badmos, produced several saves to deny the hosts.

Despite being a man down following a second bookable offense by defender, Victor Adeoye, in the 69th minute, the Ilorin-based Kwara United held on to the slim lead to amass the maximum points at the detriment of the hosts who have now lost two home games since the beginning of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign.

The frustrating Sunday’s result sees United further dropping to the 18th spot on the League Table with 12 points from eleven games as Kwara United leapfrogged to 11th position with fourteen points.

The Coach Kabir Dogo-led wards will next travel to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, on Sunday, 17th November 2024, seeking redemption on match-day twelve, before embarking on a cross-country journey over to Jos, Plateau State, a week later, for another North-Central derby clash with Plateau United.