NPFL: Michael Tochukwu lone goal earns Nasarawa United maximum points vs Dakkada

In an effort to bounce back after the disappointing result of last Thursday against Akwa United in Uyo, Nasarawa United welcomed Dakkada FC, another Akwa-Ibom based side, at their new-found Jos International Stadium, Plateau State, in an NPFL week 25 rescheduled match that would see both sides play almost the same amount of games as the rest of the teams in the Nigerian top-flight, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In the opening twelve minutes, the hosts dominated possession which they tried to use to their advantage. Sunday Okereke finding space but fired his effort inches wide.

Moments later, Ikenna Offor would miss two great opportunities in quick succession inside the box.

The away side created creative moments of play and in the process mounted pressure on Sunday Okoh who was making his debut goalkeeping appearance for United.

Sunday Okereke could have opened scoring inside twenty seven minutes but his shot ricocheted against the barrier, earning him a corner kick.

The hosts broke the deadlock slightly outside the half-hour mark after Ohanachom's header caught the trailing arm of the visitors' defender with the referee pointing to the spot for a penalty.

Michael Tochukwu stepped up to convert from twelve yards in the 31st minute, sending the Goalkeeper, Thomas Omokhudu, the wrong way for the midfielder's sixth goal of the campaign.

The Solid Miners nearly made it 2-0 before the interval after Sunday Okereke muscled his way through the barriers before sending a beautiful through pass to freestanding Chinedu Ohanachom but the striker struck the ball over the bar.

The reversed half saw both sides making frantic efforts to alter the scoreline as they both came very close to scoring but it was Michael Tochukwu who was the hero of the evening as his spot kick was enough to earn the Solid Miners the 3 maximum points thereby  returning the team to winning ways, a result that sees them leap to 12th position with 32 points from twenty-five matches.

The team will next travel to the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Benue State, for a North-Central derby clash against Lobi Stars, on Sunday, 1st May, before returning to engage Plateau United in another North-Central derby a week later.

Thirteen matches are remaining before the current league season comes to an end.

Week 25 matches will continue today as Kano Pillars entertain Sunshine Stars at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, while Abia Warriors will slug it out with the Lagos base club side MFM FC.