Nasarawa United's head coach, Mbwas Mangut, expressed his disappointment following his team's 3-1 defeat to Barau FC in their opening match of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The match took place at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday evening.

The game began with both teams finding the net in an exciting first half, but it was Barau FC that ultimately secured the victory with two late goals. Al'Amin Umar and Suga Aliyu were the scorers for Barau FC, sealing the fate of the Solid Miners as they struggled to capitalize on their chances.

Mangut was vocal about his team's performance, stating that they deserved a better outcome. "My wards played better, but were unlucky to score from the avalanche of opportunities we had," he remarked in a post-match interview with the club's media. He acknowledged the disappointment of starting the season on a losing note but emphasized the need for his team to analyze their mistakes and improve.

Looking ahead, Nasarawa United is set to host Bendel Insurance in their next league match at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday. The coach is hopeful that his players will regroup and come back stronger, aiming for a positive result in their upcoming fixture.

As the NPFL season progresses, the Solid Miners will need to address their finishing to avoid further setbacks and make a mark in the league this year.