Nasarawa United started their pre-season preparations in grand style with a tough 1-0 victory over a determined CKD Academy at the FIFA Goal Project field, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.
United, under the guidance of the newly unveiled coach, Adams Usman, were able to enjoy the lion share of ball possession in the early stages of the game, despite CKD Academy's resilience.
However, the first half ended with no goal on either side despite numerous goalscoring opportunities.
Usman initiated some strategic changes in the second half, introducing fresh legs into the lineup. It didn't take long for the breakthrough to arrive in the 60th minute, as substitute winger and the team's newest purchase, Chris Yakubu, delivered a spectacular goal.
Yakubu mesmerized CKD Academy's goalkeeper, Eze Chukwuma, chipping the ball over him following a pass from right back, Abubakar Abdullahi.
Despite their hard efforts, the host could not muster a leveller. It was the Solid Miners who needed the win more in the rain-drenched setting, earning the Coach Adams Usman's side their first win in their Abuja Pre-Season tour.
The solid miners are expected to play more friendly matches in the Federal Capital Territory in the days ahead before returning to Lafia to play their first home game of the 2023/24 Nigeria National League, NNL, season against Jedo FC on Saturday, October 28, 2023
