The Nasarawa State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has issued a three-match ultimatum to the Management and Technical crew of the club.
The ultimatum is an attempt to save Nasarawa United Football Club from going down the drain.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, during an emergency meeting between the Management of the Ministry and that of Nasarawa United FC, held at the conference hall of the Ministry in Lafia, stated that the government and citizens of the State are disheartened by the poor run of form of the Solid Miners in the ongoing 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League Season despite Government’s huge commitment and support.
“We have been following up with the activities of our darling club in the league this season, and I must say that neither the government nor the State is happy with our position on the table which is both strange to us and the countless die-hard supporters.
“Going by the results from our pre-season, we believe we have enough quality in the squad and technical know-how to finish among the top three from our group.
“But from recent outings in the league where we have lost all three games so far played, there is the urgency to do the needful before it becomes too late.
Yargwa also pointed out that though repairs are ongoing in the stadium, it has never affected them in the past.
“It is never our desire to host our home games on a foreign venue. The government has played its part in the renovation of the stadium, especially in the aspect of laying the artificial grass, and the contractor handling the project has already brought the materials to Lafia.
“Hopefully, the new grass will be laid on the field and the facility will be ready for use in one or two weeks to allow our teams to play their home games in Lafia.
“Consequently, we are placing the Management and Coaching Staff of the Club on a three-match requisition, beginning from the Club’s next match away to Gombe United FC, on Sunday, 29th January.
“The other two matches are against Plateau United on Wednesday, 1st February, at home, and Shooting Stars on Sunday, 5th February 2023, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“We hope that this prompt measure by the Government will help to return our team to their glorious status in the league this campaign, failure of which may leave the Government with the option of taking further drastic measures” the Commissioner stressed.
Back to winning ways
Reacting to the position of the Government, Club Chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi apologized to the Governor of Nasarawa State, the Ministry and other critical stakeholders of the club for the not-too-impressive performance of the team in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League Season.
He assured them that they would not rest in their quest to return the team to its winning ways.
“The government and people of Nasarawa State have every cause to be worried about our performance because the number one financier (Governor) of the club has provided all the logistics in terms of finances, morale and other supports.
“However, we believe and want to assure the governor and all the teaming supporters of Nasarawa United FC that we are equally worried, and all hands must be on deck to bring back the club to winning ways.
After playing their first three matches in Group ‘A’ of 2022/23 Abridged League Nigeria Professional Football League, the Solid Miners are still hoping to record their first win of the Season.
Three teams will qualify from each group to participate in the Super-Six to determine the eventual winners of this season’s competition with One Hundred Million Naira prize money for the champions.
Emmanuel Ukoh
