Nasarawa United Coach Mangut Shrugs Off Opening Day Defeat, Eyes Strong Response

Nasarawa United head coach, Mbwas Mangut, has assured fans that his side will quickly put their opening day disappointment behind them after falling 1-0 to Niger Tornadoes in the first round of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The Solid Miners, who played with determination in Ilorin on Wednesday, conceded in the 24th minute when Terdoo Shimagande netted the only goal of the match. Despite creating several clear-cut chances, Mangut’s men were unable to find the equaliser.

While the loss was a setback, the gaffer maintained optimism, insisting that the NPFL season is a long race.

“Going forward, the league just started, and it’s a marathon race. Every club is very conscious of his performance, especially at home,” Mangut told the club’s official website.

Nasarawa United will now turn their attention to their next clash, a home fixture against Abia Warriors on Sunday, where Mangut hopes his side will secure their first points of the campaign.

Opinion: Early Setbacks Don’t Define a Season

Opening day defeats are never easy, especially for a club like Nasarawa United who are eager to re-establish themselves as a force in the NPFL. But Mangut’s words offer perspective — football, particularly in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive league, is indeed a marathon.

The positives are clear: the Solid Miners created chances and showed attacking intent, which means their finishing touch — not creativity — was the missing link in Ilorin. With sharper execution in front of goal, results will surely follow.

This Sunday’s fixture against Abia Warriors provides the perfect chance to respond. A win at home won’t just bring points, it will restore confidence to the players and the fans who have high hopes for the season.

Ultimately, in a league as unpredictable as the NPFL, one bad result doesn’t define a campaign. If anything, this could be the wake-up call that sharpens Nasarawa United for the long journey ahead.