NPFL25: Nasarawa Utd intensifies rebuilding process

NPFL25: Nasarawa Utd intensifies rebuilding process
... Set to unveil new players

With the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season set to begin on 31st August, 2024, Nasarawa United is gearing up for life in the elite division, as the team is engaging in some graded friendly matches in Lafia before embarking on a three-week long pre-season tournaments in Abuja and Ogun State, respectively.

Fresh from its spotless National League promotion to the NPFL, the Solid Miners will continue with the pre-season preparations, first at the Abuja Unity Pre-season tournament which holds from August 11-18, 2024, before travelling to Ogun State to participate in the Optimal Energy Gold Cup Pre-season tournament, a week later.

United will face fellow NPFL heavyweights, Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Kwara United, Remo Stars, Shooting Stars, Sunshine Stars, alongside Benin Republic's Asvo FC, among others, during the tune up periods to keep them in good spirits before the league kicks off in earnest.

Organisers of both pre-season tournaments are promising excellent and rewarding editions for participating teams.

Addressing the team shortly after an in-house friendly game between the old and new players which ended 3-1 in favour of the old players at the Lafia City Stadium on Friday morning, Permanent Secretary of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Isaac Danladi, who spoke on behalf of the state government, revealed that "the focus of the was on signing new and quality players to augment the team, set up a new football structure, ensure performance gains, and general rebranding for optimal performance in the elite domestic league."

He noted that government is redoubling its commitment and support to the team, particularly in the areas of welfare packages, image promotion, and kittings, emphasizing that a new structure and template for the team would be announced in the coming days by the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration to reposition the team for existence and sustenance in the top-flight.

Technical Adviser, Usman Adams, said he and his crew are working tirelessly to assemble the best legs for the new campaign, promising to unveil their identities to the fans in the nearest future.

"As you can see, we are work in progress. We have some sizeable number of quality players from top clubs in the NPFL and a few other players from about three African countries.

"We are observing their progress through the pre-season friendlies and very soon, we should be announcing our new acquisitions to show how ready we are for the new season."

Coach Adams applauded the continuous support of the Nasarawa State government under the leadership of Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and all the key stakeholders who continue to avail their technical and moral supports.

Club Captain, King Osanga(MON), expressed optimism that the Solid Miners are ready for the challenges of the Premier League, stating that government has given the team plethora of reasons to raise the bar of their game.

"We are happy with the kind of players being sampled for recruitment. These are quality players, I must confess.

"Indeed, this is what the team needs now to boost confidence because all we need are being made available by the Government."

Nasarawa United welcomes Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan in the first game of the new campaign on Sunday, August 8, 2024, at the Lafia City Stadium, according to the fixture released by the NPFL board last month.