 season, the management of Nasarawa United Football Club has unveiled fifteen (15) new players.){kind=link}
Nasarawa United Football Club has unveiled fifteen (15) new players, ahead of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Speaking after the ceremony that took place at the Lafia Township Stadium, the Club Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, reaffirmed management’s commitment to strengthening the team with experienced talents drawn from top NPFL sides, including Akwa United, Rivers United, and Lobi Stars of Makurdi.
Reflecting on last season, Babanjah recalled the challenges faced in the first stanza of the 2024/2025 campaign and praised the efforts of Coach Salisu Yusuf, who helped the team finish ninth on the league table.
He said that following Yusuf’s departure to a foreign club, the management had appointed Coach Mangut Mbwas as the new Technical Adviser, expressing confidence in his ability to build on his predecessor’s achievements.
The Chairman explained that the squad overhaul was necessary following the exit of several players at the end of last season.
“It is normal to replace outgoing players with new ones, and this unveiling is part of our effort to boost the squad ahead of the new campaign,” he said.
On the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Lafia Township Stadium, Babanjah thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule for approving funds for the project and assured supporters that the repairs would be completed in time for the club’s opening home fixture next week.
Among the newly signed players, a goalkeeper from Akwa United, Darlington Onovkpo, expressed optimism about contributing to the team’s success.
“I look forward to helping Nasarawa United fight for the NPFL title this season and hopefully secure a continental spot,” he said.
Vincent Apkipke, a winger from Enugu Rangers, pledged to work closely with his teammates to achieve the club’s targets, while Moses Sewuan, a centre-back returning from Lobi Stars, described his signing as a “homecoming”
Sewuan promised to deliver an even better performance this time. Also speaking, Paul Etim from Lobi Stars expressed gratitude to the club’s management for the opportunity and vowed to give his best.
The Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, Comrade Smah George, commended the state government, the club’s management, and stakeholders in the sports sector for their commitment to uplift Nasarawa United.
He described the unveiling as a morale booster, urging management, supporters, security agencies, and sports writers to rally behind the team to achieve its objectives in the coming season.
“We are glad to announce that we have unveiled some of our newly acquired players before a handful of our enthusiastic fans and media representatives“, the SWAN Chair noted.
Title win
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Government has charged the Club to ensure that it secures the title in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, made the call in Lafia, at a farewell ceremony as the team proceeds to Abuja for the pre-season preparations.
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Kwanta said that the government would provide the needed support in terms of welfare and logistics to the players and the technical crew to ensure that they are not lacking.
He explained that the approval for the signing of the 15 new players by the club was part of the boost to fortify the team ahead of the season.
The commissioner further said that the allowances of the players and technical crew would be reviewed upward and paid promptly so they could focus on their target.
“As the season starts, if there are any issues that will affect the club, you must find a way of talking to us for a prompt response,” Kwanta said.
Also speaking, Chairman, Nasarawa Utd FC, Solomon Babanja, appreciated the state government for their continued support.
The Chairman promised that the team would play every game as it is and explained that the team was now better than it was last season.
Responding on behalf of the players, Captain of the team, King Osanga, appreciated the government for the support and encouragement and promised not to disappoint the state.