Nasarawa United Football Club continued their impressive run in the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Remo Stars on Matchday 10 at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday. The pulsating encounter saw the visitors take an early lead in the fifth minute through Michael Ibeh, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to put Remo Stars ahead. However, the Solid Miners rallied back with determination, and John Joshua restored parity in the 31st minute following a well-coordinated team move that drew loud cheers from the home crowd. The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Jofrank Istifanus struck the winning goal, sealing all three points for the hosts and sending the Lafia supporters into wild jubilation. With the victory, Nasarawa United climbed to the top of the NPFL table with 22 points, continuing their remarkable home form. The team dominated the match with 60 percent ball possession, eight shots on target, and five corners, compared to Remo Stars’ 40 percent possession and two shots on target. Coach Praises Team’s Character Speaking after the game, Nasarawa United Head Coach, Mangut Mbwas Ayuba, praised his players for their fighting spirit and composure despite going behind early in the match. “It was a tough match, but the boys showed great character, especially after conceding early. We kept our focus, played to our strength, and got the result we wanted,” Ayuba said. He added that the team’s current form was a product of collective effort and management support, while urging his players to stay grounded. “We’re not getting carried away. The season is still long, but this result motivates us to keep pushing harder,” he added. Hero of the Match Speaks Match-winner Jofrank Istifanus, who scored his first-ever NPFL goal, expressed delight at contributing to his team’s success. “I’m happy to help the team with this important goal. The fans have been amazing, and we’ll keep working hard to maintain our position at the top,” Istifanus said. The player, who recently joined the team from a military background, said the goal was a dream come true. “This is my first goal and my first NPFL experience. Coming from the barracks, it feels great to achieve this. I’ve been looking forward to scoring, and it finally happened today. I promise to get more goals for the team,” he added. Remo Stars Admit Lapse Remo Stars’ Assistant Coach, Suleiman Kamir, commended Nasarawa United for their resilience while admitting his side lost focus in the second half. “We started well but lost concentration after the break. Credit to Nasarawa United — they deserved the win,” Kamir stated. Nasarawa United will look to extend their lead when they travel away for Matchday 11, hoping to maintain their fine form and consolidate their position at the top of the NPFL standings.
Nasarawa United defeat Remo Stars 2–1 to go top of NPFL table
