EuroMatch NPFL: Mangut Bemoans Nasarawa United’s Unlucky Defeat To Barau FC
Retold by Oddsrama · 31 August 2026
Nasarawa United's start to the 2026/27 NPFL season has turned sour after a 3-1 loss to Barau FC at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday. The Solid Miners travelled to the northern city hoping to make a statement, but instead left empty-handed following a second-half collapse that coach Mbwas Mangut has put down to bad fortune rather than poor play.
Barau struck first through Joseph Atule's 15th-minute opener, but Nasarawa United showed resilience to level immediately. Abubakar Abdullahi, set up by Mohammed Umar, drew things level just five minutes later, suggesting a tight contest lay ahead. For much of the match the sides were evenly matched, with neither gaining decisive control.
The turning point came late in the game when Barau FC scored twice in quick succession—Al'Amin Umar and Suga Aliyu both finding the net to seal a dominant three points. Mangut, speaking after the final whistle, acknowledged his team's frustration. He felt his players had performed well and created plenty of opportunities but couldn't convert them when it mattered. That wastefulness in front of goal is exactly the kind of efficiency issue that can shift odds in a team's favour once corrected.
With confidence shaken but a quick turnaround on the horizon, Nasarawa travel to face Bendel Insurance at home next Sunday. A win there would be crucial to their campaign momentum and odds perception. Mangut has promised to learn from this setback and come back stronger—a familiar mantra, but one his squad will need to back up with results fast if they're to climb the table.
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