Salisu Yusuf, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, is confident that the club will overcome its struggles in the ongoing 2024/2025 NPFL campaign, Completesports.com reports.
The Solid Miners sit 18th in the NPFL table with 28 points from 27 matches. Yusuf, a former Enyimba, Rangers, and Kano Pillars gaffer, was appointed by the club’s hierarchy to replace Kabir Dogo in a bold move to turn around their fortunes and steer them away from an imminent drop to the second-tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Also Read: NPFL: Ilechukwu Ready To Move On From Rangers’ Defeat At Kano Pillars
The 63-year-old tactician has overseen two matches since taking charge, securing a win and a draw. Following a 1-1 stalemate against Abia Warriors in a Matchday 27 fixture at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday, Yusuf reinforced his belief that Nasarawa United will not be relegated.
“Yes, Nasarawa United won’t be relegated. That’s the target, and it’s my wish and the reason I’m here. Maybe before we get to the last two or three matches of the season, Nasarawa United would have escaped relegation,” Yusuf enthused.
Sunday Megwo put Abia Warriors ahead in the 61st minute, but Garba Mohammed equalised for Nasarawa United six minutes later.
Both teams went into the half-time break on level terms. Despite their efforts in the second half, neither side could alter the scoreline before the final whistle.
Yusuf reflected on the draw, describing it as a fair result.
“It’s a good result because if you look at our position in the league table, you will know that I’m here on a rescue mission. So, this is a valuable point for us,” he added.
“It’s also good motivation for us to go back home and fight for the next game. But I think Abia Warriors are tactically sound. We played a tactical game, and it ended evenly, so I think it’s a good result.
“Yes, I was positive because before we came into the game, we had a plan. We knew their strengths and weaknesses—just as they knew ours. So, I was confident that when the opportunity came for us to exploit their weaknesses, we would take advantage of it, which we did with our speed from the flanks.”
Also Read: NPFL: Yaro Yaro Hails Kano Pillars’ Fighting Spirit After Comeback Win Over Rangers
Yusuf also spoke about his cordial relationship with Abia Warriors coach, Imama Amapakabo, recalling their time together at Enyimba and the Super Eagles B team during the 2018 CHAN in Morocco.
“You know, Coach Imama and I belong to the same school of football philosophy. We’re from the same background, so we’re trying to change the game within the current environment,” he added.
“The pitches we have here do not suit our free-flowing football style, so we want to adopt a system that accommodates our players and yields results.
“As I always say, Imama is my friend. We were together at Enyimba and the national team. I believe we share the same football ideology, and whatever we do, you can see the similarities.
“So, it’s always good to meet again and reminisce about the good old times.”
By Sab Osuji
Yusuf, de coach van het Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) team Nasarawa United, heeft verzekerd dat zijn team de degradatie zal ontlopen dit seizoen. Met nog een paar wedstrijden te gaan in het seizoen, staat Nasarawa United momenteel op de rand van de degradatiezone.
Yusuf heeft verklaard dat hij volledig vertrouwen heeft in zijn spelers en gelooft dat ze de benodigde resultaten zullen behalen om in de NPFL te blijven. Hij heeft benadrukt dat het team hard heeft gewerkt en vastberaden is om te vechten tot het einde.
Nasarawa United heeft de afgelopen weken enkele belangrijke overwinningen behaald en heeft laten zien dat ze in staat zijn om te concurreren met de beste teams in de competitie. Yusuf heeft zijn spelers geprezen voor hun toewijding en vastberadenheid om te slagen, ondanks de moeilijke omstandigheden waarmee ze worden geconfronteerd.
De coach heeft ook aangegeven dat het cruciaal is voor het team om gefocust te blijven en elke wedstrijd serieus te nemen. Hij benadrukt het belang van teamwork en discipline om succesvol te zijn in de competitie.
Met nog een paar wedstrijden te gaan, zal Nasarawa United alles op alles zetten om degradatie te voorkomen en zich te handhaven in de NPFL. Yusuf is vastbesloten om zijn team naar veiliger wateren te leiden en is ervan overtuigd dat ze zullen slagen.
Fans van Nasarawa United kunnen hoopvol zijn dat hun team de degradatie zal ontlopen en dat ze kunnen blijven genieten van spannend voetbal in de NPFL. Yusuf en zijn spelers zullen blijven strijden tot het laatste fluitsignaal en zullen er alles aan doen om hun doel te bereiken.
