The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau United Football Club

  • Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Defending champions, Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday said they were fully prepared for the new 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) season which begins on Sunday.

    Albert Dakup, the club’s Media Officer, said in Jos that the management has put in place all necessities for a successful outing.

    He recalled that the club had shortly after the end of last season released 12 players whose service were no longer needed.

    “In their stead, the club has recruited 12 new players to strengthen the team for the new NPFL season, as well as its continental engagements.

    Read also: Ikoyi Club fetes ‘Elders’ for 2018

    “Experience was a key factor which was considered in the recruitment of new players, taking into cognisance the continental matches.

    “Based on that, some experienced players like Terna Suswam from Enyimba, Amos Gyang from Kano Pillars, Charles Henlong from Rangers of Enugu, Raphael Ayagwa of Lobi Stars, amongst others, were recruited,” Dakup said.

    The spokesman said also that Plateau United played two pre-season tournaments and some friendly matches as part of its preparations for the new season.

    “We played the NPFL invitational tournament and the Ahlan pre-season tournament.

    “The club began closed camping in Abuja on January 2 and played a friendly match with a Nationwide League One side, Water FC of Abuja.

    “Our first match of the season is away to Nasarawa United of Lafia on Sunday and we are confident that with our level of preparations, we will get a positive result,” he said.

    NAN

  • Plateau United snatch valuable three points as Sunshine Stars fall at home

    Plateau United snatch valuable three points as Sunshine Stars fall at home

    Leaders Plateau United Football Club of Jos maintained their place at the summit of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday after a 2-1 away win.

    They beat hosts Sunshine Stars FC of Akure in a week 23 match of the competition, after a controversy that led to game disruption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game had ended 1-0 in the half time in favour of the home team after Ezekiel Thompson nodded in a free kick.

    The visitors equalised in the 61st minute through substitute Emmanuel Odafe.

    Trouble however started when Plateau United took the lead from a long throw-in.

    Officials and players of Sunshine Stars protested that the goal scored was a product of a handball infringement.

    A scuffle began immediately, with the first assistant referee collapsing on the ground after Sunshine Stars goalkeeper David Ariyo appeared to hit him in the chest.

    This led to a stoppage of play for about 20 minutes, as it took the medical team some time to revive the assistant referee.

    After Ariyo was sent off by the centre referee for dissent and play resumed, the visiting side held on to take the maximum three points from the game.

  • ‘My administration motivated Plateau athletes into winning 143 medals in two years’

    ‘My administration motivated Plateau athletes into winning 143 medals in two years’

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau says it was a credit to his administration that the state’s athletes won 143 medals in the two years he has been in charge.

    Lalong told newsmen on Monday in Jos as part of activities to mark the 2017 Democracy Day that the feat was possible because of his unflinching support for sports.

    He said his administration had strived a lot to ensure the participation of the state athletes in many sports activities within the period.

    “Plateau won a total of 143 medals, made up of 56 gold, 37 silver and 50 bronze, in the various sports our athletes took part in.

    “Plateau athletes have participated in virtually all the sports events within and outside the country,” the governor said.

    He said he was also determined to ensure that Plateau United Football Club of Jos play their continental club competition matches at the new Zaria Road Stadium if they qualified.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau United FC are currently leading the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    If they finished within the top three bracket or win the Federation Cup competition, they would represent Nigeria in one of the two available continental club competitions.

    Speaking on sports facilities, Lalong assured that he would do everything possible to complete the multi-billion Naira stadium.

    “I will do all I can to make sure that they (Plateau United) play their continental matches in the new stadium, instead of the Rwang Pam Stadium were they are currently playing.

    “There were complaints that the turf at the new stadium was not FIFA standard but we immediately approached the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports and they certified it fit for international matches.

    “But if there are fresh concerns of the state of the turf we will immediately address it,” he said.

  • NPFL: Plateau United defeats Enyimba

    NPFL: Plateau United defeats Enyimba

    Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday defeated Enyimba International FC of Aba 3-1 in their Match Day 2 fixture in the 2016/2017 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Plateau United took the lead in the 11th minute of the encounter through a well-taken free-kick by Golbe Elisha, the club’s captain.

    Kabiru Umar doubled Plateau United’s lead in the 52nd minute during a goalmouth scramble.

    The hosts, who were clearly the dominant side, almost made it three in the 57th minute after a cross which the Enyimba goalkeeper had to push over the crossbar.

    Umeh Emeka, who came in as a substitute, made it 3-0 in the 80th minute of the match.

    Enyimba, however, reduced the deficit through Ikechukwu Ibenegbu less than two minutes after Emeka’s goal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau United have so far won their two matches in the league, and therefore lead the log with six points.

    They had on Sunday defeated Remo Stars 2-1 away in the opening week of the season.

    Kennedy Boboye, Plateau United’s Chief Coach, told newsmen that the Jos-based club were “on course to achieve their target of winning a ticket to play on the continent next year’’.

    Boboye said he was happy with the squad at his disposal and commended the players’ performance.

    The chief coach also expressed satisfaction with the support he was enjoying from the club’s fans, the management and the state government.