Niger Tornadoes' three-game unbeaten streak came to an end as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Nasarawa United in their NPFL Matchday 22 clash at the Lafia City Stadium. Anas Yusuf was the difference-maker, scoring an impressive brace to seal the win for the hosts.
The Solid Miners, who started the day at the bottom of the NPFL table, got off to a dream start when they were awarded a penalty just three minutes into the game. Daniel Akanbek was deemed to have committed a foul inside the box, and the referee promptly pointed to the spot. Anas Yusuf stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, giving his team a surprise early lead.
Despite a spirited push, the Ikon Allah Boys were unable to find the equalizer, and the Solid Miners maintained their lead heading into halftime.
The two teams returned for the second-half proceedings and Tornadoes Technical Crew made an early substitution introducing the duo of Emmanuel Olawale and Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai in a bid to tweak the team's approach to the game.
The substitutions proved vital as we seized the momentum and dominated proceedings.
Tornadoes thought they had leveled the score when Sabiu Ibrahim slotted home, courtesy of Sarki Ismail's assist, but the celebrations were short-lived as the linesman raised his flag, ruling for an offside.
Anas Yusuf struck again, sealing his brace with a clinical finish from a perfectly delivered free kick, extending his team's advantage and cementing a comfortable lead.
-Niger Tornodoes Media