Line up of Nasarawa United in one if their league matches

The Solid Miners, on Wednesday, dropped two crucial points after series of mixed opportunities, including a first-half penalty miss by Sam Pam, that saw them sharing the spoils with visiting Enyimba FC on match-day 23 at the Lafia City Stadium.

United went into the game basking on the euphoria of two straight previous wins, before falling agonizingly short of reclaiming the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League's  summit on Wednesday evening, succumbing to a heartbreaking 1-1 draw at the hands of nine-time league champions, Enyimba FC of Aba.

Determined to scoop four points from the Aba Elephants following their first-leg earned point in Aba, Nasarawa United had dictated the tempo of the game with aplomb, with youngsters, Benjamin Jack and Habibu Alakija both hitting the upright before left back, Sam Pam, sent his spot kick off target after a foul on Jofrank Istifanus in the 44th minute, with both sides heading into the locker rooms with scores at 0-0

Reserve bench of Marawa United

However, Jofrank Istifanus's backheel improvisation in the 69th minute saw him scoring his third goal of the league campaign in  United's colours.

The goal momentarily seemed to herald a return to the top spot for the Solid Miners before Enyimba rallied back with unyielding determination. A contentious penalty, awarded in the 71st minute by referee, Rabiu Ahmed,  proved the catalyst for their equalizing strike as Kalu Nweke coolly converted from the spot, dashing the home side's dreams ascension.

Nasarawa United remain in 2nd position with 39 points, two points behind Rivers United, who have two games at hand, while Enyimba remain unmoved on 12th position with 28 points.

Coach Mangut Mbwas, nonetheless, maintained that "the Solid Miners would regroup and refocus on our next challenge against 13th-placed, Wikki Tourists who have 27 points, on Sunday, 1st February, 2026, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi."

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