Nasarawa United technical adviser Mbwas Mangut has praised his players after their 1-0 victory over Enyimba in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
The result at Lafia City Stadium extended Nasarawa United’s winning run to four matches, with the Solid Miners securing all three points against the nine-time Nigerian champions.
Jofrank Joshua scored the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute, giving the hosts a narrow victory in a closely fought encounter.
“Let me give credit to the boys for securing the maximum points. We should have scored more goals, but the three points are more important,” Mangut told the club’s media.
The coach said Nasarawa United’s points tally represented significant progress after five matches. The team have collected 13 points and kept five consecutive clean sheets.
“Thirteen points in five games is not a bad development. We are responding gradually, and suffice to say we are defending well and also attacking well that’s five clean sheets in succession,” he said.
Kano Pillars next for Nasarawa United
Nasarawa United will face Kano Pillars next weekend, with Mangut targeting another positive result against opponents who defeated the Solid Miners both at home and away last season.
Mangut said his players would prepare for the match with the same determination they have shown in their other fixtures, while acknowledging the importance of the lessons from those previous defeats.
“Against Kano Pillars next weekend, we are going for the maximum points like any other game,” he added.
“We lost away and home against them last season, but we have learnt our lessons. We are going to work towards that game.”
Mangut also spoke about his recent participation in the CAF A Licence Coaching Course in Abuja.
He described the experience as valuable and said he intended to apply the knowledge gained during the course to his work at Nasarawa United.
“My experiences at the CAF A Licence Coaching Course in Abuja are wonderful, and whatever knowledge I acquired there will be poured out to Nasarawa United because the state government, through the executive governor, facilitated my participation in the course. I am so grateful to everyone who made it possible for me,” he said.