December, 27 2021.
A late minute goal gave Gombe United a vital away point to cheer with, following their abysmal opening match at home.
Nasarawa United were almost running away with the 3 points before Yusuf Abdulazeez scored at the dot of time to silence the home fans as the stadium looks like a burial ground.
In the early minutes of proceedings, Michael Tochukwu swung in a cross from the corner, Udom Ekerette connected well but his effort could not find the target.
Nasarawa United were on the attack again as Michael Tochukwu played a brilliant one two with Otegbeye, the former final effort hits the side netting, giving a Goal kick to Gombe United.
Gombe United’s Ibrahim Yahaya beats Ini Udom of Nasarawa United to his right and swept in a shot at goal, but his efforts went narrowly wide.
Savannah Scorpions took control of the game as at 15 minutes of play as Samuel Oyedeji dangerous cross into Nasarawa United goal area was calmly gathered by Godwin Ameh in goal for the Solid Miners. A minute later, Silas Nwankwo's ambitious strike that had less of threat to the goal area of the visitors could not trouble Itodo.
A world class save from Itodo Akor as at 17 minutes of play. He stretched to deny Tochukwu's long range shot as Nasarawa United continued to search for the opening goal of the match
Gombe United's Samaila Bello went into the refree's book of caution after he fouled Aliyu Abdullahu.
With 26 minutes into the proceedings, Silas Nwankwo tried his luck again from yards out but Itodo Akor was on hand to deny the home team the opening goal.
A moment of brilliance was displayed by two goals hero of the first match for Nasarawa United Otegbeye Ajibola, after he mesmerised the defence lines of Gombe United to make them look ordinary to the delight of the fans in the stadium which were cheering the striker.
At 45 minutes of play, an audacious save from Itodo Akor denied a stinging effort from Victor Collins, while Coach Aliyu Zubairu was booked by the centre referee for illicit behavior on the side line as first half ended barren draw.
Nasarawa United took the lead against the run of play after Abdullahi Abubakar benefitted from a goal mouth scrabble to steer home the ball from yards, out with just three minutes before time break
The Solid Miners brought in Paul Funom, Mohammed Shammasu and replaced the duo with Ikenna Offor and Otegbeye Ajibola while Gombe United's Yusuf Abdulazeez replaces Sadiq Shuaibu after finding the back of the net, making the score line 1-0 in favour of the hosts as at 63' minutes of play
Gombe United goalie, Itodo came to the rescue again as he made himself big to deny substitute Paul Funom's header from Aliyu Abdullahi's cross at 68th minute.
Ahmed Jimoh used his strength to fend off Collins Victor before hitting a shot at goal 71’ minute. Godwin Ameh does well to deny the Former Kwara United attacker from leveling the scores here in Lafia.
Meanwhile, at the 86' minutes of play, Yusuf Abdulazeez found the back of the net but it was chalked after Sani Sulieman was adjudged to have put the ball out of play in the build up.
Gombe United made it 1-1 at the dying minutes of the proceedings when Yusuf Abdulazeez even the scores with a fine finish to throw the bench of the visitors into wide jubilation.
Itodo Akor, the goalkeeper of Gombe United was voted Man of the match on the back of his heroic display during the game.