By Amaechi Agbo
The Solid Miners mounted a stirring resurgence today, Wednesday, to overturn a 1-0 deficit to dismantle a determined Si14 FC 4-1 in a pulsating Nasarawa State Football Association Cup first Semi-Final clash at the Lafia City Stadium, securing a coveted place in Sunday’s final.
The match, played in the morning, was illuminated by a match-defining cameo from Nasarawa United’s youth team graduate, sixteen year-old Benjamin Oloche, who emerged from the bench in the 40th minute of the first-half for Benjamin Jack, to create two assists and registering a goal in a Man-of-the-Match performance that belied his years.
Umar Sani had shocked the Nigeria Premier League’s Nasarawa United after rounding off the defence to give his side a 28th minute lead.
Coach Mangut Mbwas effected double changes, and the decision paid off instantly as Benjamin Oloche found Habibu Alakija, a minute into his introduction, with a delightful inswinger to level United up, as both sides retired to the locker rooms with scores at 1-1 apiece.
One minute into the restart, the fast-footed Benjamin Oloche again set up Ugochukwu Leonard with a great ball to increase the Solid Miners’ lead to 2-1.
With eleven minutes to regulation time, the energetic young winger announced himself as he scored his first official goal in United’s colours, collecting a through pass from fellow substitute, Moyi Hassan, before cutting into the box and smashing a close range shot beyond the reach of the Si14 goalkeeper, Sunny Frank, as United went 3-1 ahead.
United’s rout was completed four minutes to stoppage time when midfielder, Ugochukwu Leonard, easily tapped home Habibu Alakija’s inch-perfect pass, to end the game 4-1, and ultimately qualified the team to the final of the 2026 Nasarawa State FA Cup, as Benjamin Oloche was named Man-of-the-Match.
The Solid Miners will await the winners between Basira FC and Nasarawa United Feeder Team in the final slated for Sunday, 26th April, 2026, at the Lafia City Stadium by 3pm, for the right to lift the trophy and retain one of the two tickets to the national President Federation’s Cup.
