Nasarawa United have been relegated to the Nigeria National League after a 1-0 defeat against Kwara United in Akure on match-day 17 of the abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.

Yahaya Ibrahim’s 82nd-minute goal condemned the Solid Miners to the second tier football for next season, after they had frantically tried to force a draw for most of the game.

Separated by just a point on the table, Kwara United took their destiny as a matter of urgency and their flurry of chances began to flow as early as the 10th minute.

Paul Samson had the first real chance of the game, but couldn’t keep his shot down inside the box after beating his marker with a beautiful control.

Three minutes later, Kabir Balogun also hit the post from a free kick.

Chinedu Ohanachom also threatened Kwara United on the other side, while Samad Kadri also failed to make few chances count for the hosts as the game went into the break goalless.

Coach Kabiru Dogo rang a few changes immediately after the restart and despite picking up their momentum where they left off, they were kept at bay by Nasarawa United, whose goalkeeper, Ameh Godwin, stood firm for the visitors to deny Kwara twice from free kicks.

Kwara United eventually got the breakthrough eight minutes from time thanks to a poker from Yahaya Ibrahim which sent the arena into romp.

As the clock ticked, the hosts protected their lone goal and sealed the three points which guaranteed their stay in the league next season.