Rising from villain to hero in seven days, the beautiful game scripted its most compelling narrative of redemption at the Lafia City Stadium on blockbuster Sunday as hosts, Nasarawa United FC exorcised the demons of midweek despair to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fellow North Central rivals, Niger Tornadoes, on match-day six clash of the ongoing 2026/27 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League campaign.

Still smarting from a dispiriting 2-1 reverse at the hands of Kwara United in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Solid Miners returned to their Lafia City fortress with a point to prove and pride to reclaim, delivering a performance steeped in character, resilience and ultimately poetic justice.

The protagonist of the afternoon was none other than central defender, Harrison Ebah, who, last week, endured every defender's nightmare - turning the ball into his own net to condemn Nasarawa United to a painful 1-1 home setback against visiting Rivers United.

However, the same man emerged from the shadows to inscribe his name in lights. With the North Central derby locked in a tense and tactical stalemate and clear cut chances at a premium, it was the unlikely source of Harrison Ebah who broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion. Following a partially cleared set-piece, the ball fell invitingly some 35 yards from goal, and without a moment's hesitation, Ebah unleashed an exquisite, audacious strike - a thunderbolt of technical aplomb that soared beyond the despairing Niger Tornadoes' goalkeeper , Jerry Isaac, and rippled the back of the net to send the home fans into wild celebrations.

The solitary 20th minute strike proved decisive for the hosts who curtailed the late probing and territorial ambition of the visitors, as the home side confirmed all three points that lifted their early-season aspirations, moving up to 13th position with seven points, while Tornadoes dropped to 17th position.

For his spectacular goal and performance, Harrison Ebah won the Man-of-the-Match Award.

The Solid Miners will travel many distances to Ibadan for a date with 9th-placed Shooting Stars SC next weekend.

POST-MATCH REACTIONS:

DANIEL NOR(ASST. COACH/NAS): "It's indeed a serious rivalry match. It's intense, interesting and competitive.

"To God be the glory, we have the three points, even though we are not comfortable because we have lost some couple of vital points, however, I believe we will recover, beginning from our next game."

KABIR DOGO(TA/TOR): "Congratulations to Nasarawa United. Both teams did very well, but my team lost concentration, and were punished by United.

"I wish both teams well, going forward."

HARRISON EBAH(SCORER/MOTM): "I thank God for the goal I scored today. I was confident I would score when the ball bounced toward my position.

"From my previous seasons and games against Niger Tornadoes, I gave my best, and I always score fantastic goals.

"I wish to keep scoring more goals, maybe five, for the season to help my team secure a continental ticket."

PHOTO: NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Olughu Chinemerem, Abubakar Abdullahi, Sunday Dapman, Alfred Odinaka, Chidera Nduka, Harrison Ebah, Jofrank Joshua(Oche Bawa 90+1), Ugochukwu Leonard(Habibu Alakija 70'), Aluku Sunday(Austine Onyemaechi 66'), Sam Pam, Alao Danbani(Ada Umar 66').