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Tag: Plateau United

  • Plateau United suspends training over coach death

    Plateau United suspends training over coach death

    The management of Plateau United FC of Jos said the team would not train on Thursday in honour of its Head Coach, Audu Pele, who died on Wednesday afternoon.
    Albert Dakup, the team’s Media Officer announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pele, 58, died Wednesday afternoon after a brief illness.
    Dakup said that the General Manager of the club, Pius Henwan, who gave the directive, described Pele as an unassuming man whose name has been etched in the history of the club.
    Henwan assured Pele’s immediate family of the club’s support, noting that death was a necessary end for all mortals.
    Speaking to NAN, the chief coach of the team, Abdu Maikaba, described the deceased as one of the best assistants he had ever worked with.
    Maikaba explained that the deceased who stood in for him when he was with the Flying Eagles in 2019, was a reliable assistant.
    He commended Pele’s sincerity in handling the affairs of the team and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
    “The entire team is expected to use the training-free day and join other mourners in paying their condolences to the family of the late coach,” Maikaba said.
  • Nigeria Ex-football player, Pele is dead

    Nigeria Ex-football player, Pele is dead

    Former Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Plateau United Football Club of Jos has been thrown into mourning mood following the dead of its Head Coach, Audu Isah Pele.

    Pele, who died Wednesday afternoon at his residence along Ali Kazaure, was hospitalized at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos, before he was discharged Monday this week.

    His death was confirmed by the Media of the Club, Albert Dakup, in Jos the Plateau State Capital.

    Dakup said, “Pele joined the services of Plateau United FC as a coach of the feeder team in 2014.

    “However, following a string of poor results shortly after the Club’s return to the Nigeria Professional Football League in 2016, the management of the team headed by Pius Henwan elevated coach him alongside other coaches from the feeder team to the first team.

    “He contributed immensely to the team’s escape from relegation that season as he served as acting head coach in the absence of Zakary Baraje.”

    He added that the deceased coach also played a prominent role in the road to winning the team’s first NPFL title in 2017 when he assisted coach Kennedy Boboye achieved that feat .

    “Last season, he was the team’s stabilizing force when he stood in for Head Coach Abdu Maikaba, while he was away on national duty with the Flying Eagles.”

    Late Pele played for the defunct Nigerian standard and JIB Rocks Strikers, he also coached Mighty Jets of Jos, defunct JUTH FC, among other clubs.

    He has since been buried according to Islamic rites to where family, friends, colleagues as well as players, coaches and management staff of Plateau United headed by the General Manager, Pius Henwan paid their last respect to him.

    The deceased is survived by a wife, five children and many relations.

  • NPFL: Plateau United defeat Rivers United in Jos

    NPFL: Plateau United defeat Rivers United in Jos

    Plateau United FC of Jos has defeated Rivers United FC 1-0 in the week 18 encounter of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
    The match played on Sunday at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, produced the lone goal scored against Rivers FC by Mustapha Ibrahim, seven minutes into the match.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the encounter was fierce as both teams were on top of their game.
    Speaking immediately after the match, Plateau United Technical Adviser, Mr Abdul Maikaba, commended his team for winning the match.
    He said the outcome of the match had helped his team to push down both Lobi Stars and Rivers United and assume the top position on the table.
    “I told my players that the match was going to be very difficult and we had to stand firm to win.
    “I am happy with the outcome and the manner in which my boys played. This has made us to use one stone to kill two birds.
    “With this win, we were able to push down Lobi Stars and Rivers United; we are now topping the table.
    “So, it is good but we must work harder to consolidate on the result by winning more matches,” Maikaba said.
    He assured fans of Plateau United and Plateau people that the team would do better in its subsequent matches, particularly the away encounters.
    On his part, Chief Coach of Rivers United, Mr Stanley Eguma, commended his boys for the way they played, adding that Plateau United was a team to beat.
    He said his team would not be discouraged by the result of the match, saying that its target was to get to the top.
    “We have played a very good site today, and my boys played well. It is however unfortunate that we lost.
    “But our target is to get to the top and we will do everything possible to get there,” Eguma said.

  • Plateau United FC releases 17 players

    As preparations for the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) gets under way, the management of Plateau United FC of Jos has released 17 players.
    The club’s Media Officer, Albert Dakup, said that decision was to reposition the club for better performance in the coming season.
    “The decision was taken at the end of a meeting between management and the technical crew shortly before the team embarked on recess.
    “The 17 players were deemed surplus to requirement due to indiscipline and decline in productivity as well as those who were on loan to the club.
    “The players have been communicated and told to surrender the club’s properties in their possession as all their entitlements have been paid to them in full,” he said in a statement.
    According to the media officer, the Jos-based club has taken steps to recruit new players in place of the departing ones.
    Dakup said that negotiations with some fresh legs who had been penciled down has commenced.
    It will be recalled that Plateau United embarked on a recess last month and will resume preparations for the incoming season on the 29th of July.
  • CAF Confederation Cup: Plateau United defeat USM Algiers

    CAF Confederation Cup: Plateau United defeat USM Algiers

    Plateau United FC of Jos on Saturday defeated USM Algiers 2-1 at the Agege Stadium in the elimination match of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that goals from King Osanga in the 7th minute and Emma James’ strike in the 75th minutes gave the necessary three points to the reigning Nigeria Professional Football League Champions.

    Plateau United playing away from their traditional ground Ruwang Pam Stadium, Jos, due to the unapproval by CAF was however given a home support by Lagos fans who trooped to the stadium to cheer them.

    The Kennedy Boboye-tutored team were in control of the match in the first half forcing the visitors to their own half but were unable to convert their chances as the lead striker, Tosin Omoyele, was sandwiched among the bulky defenders.

    Plateau goalkeeper Okiemute Odah was, however, called to action many times to deny the rampaging USM Algiers strikers.

    The second half also saw the visitor mounted pressure on Plateau United which later resulted in a goal by Yaya Faouzi in the 71st minute after a defensive error.

    Plateau made two tactical substitutions, with the introduction of veteran Peter Eneji who came in to replace Raphael Ayagwa and Emma James who scored the decider.

    After the match, Plateau United midfielder, Elisha Golbe, was full of praises for the Lagos fans for their support, adding that the team would do its best to record a decent outing in Algiers.

    “I want to appreciate Lagos fans first of all for their support, we are really surprised with what we got here, it is like playing at home.

    “The result today is not a result that we are playing away from our ground because we tried to control the game but we were unlucky in front of the goal.

    “We will get our acts together in the second round because we now have the experience of how they play because that was what we lacked before, we knew little about them,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • CAF Champions League: Plateau United lose 2-4 to Etoile du Sahel

    Plateau United’s late rally on Tuesday could not stop the Jos-based side from crashing 2-4 to hosts Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in a CAF Champions League encounter in Sousse.

    The Tunisian side enjoyed a relative easy first half in the first round first leg tie by scoring three goals in 20 minutes of the first half.

    Amro Marei opened scores in the second minute, while Amine Chermiti added two goals in the third and eighth minutes for the first half to end 3-0 in the hosts’ favour.

    The 14th minute substitution of goalkeeper Odah Okiemute for Dele Ajiboye seemed to stabilize the visitors’ rear until the hosts scored the fourth goal in the 54th minute.

    Plateau United, however graced, resurged to reduce the tally Raphael Ayagwa’s penalty kick in the 70th minute.

    Eight minutes to the end of the game, Tosin Omoyele turned home substitute Patrick Eneji’s assist to further reduce the margin ahead of the second leg game.

    Plateau United will host the Tunisian side in Jos on March 16.

  • Plateau United defeat Rangers to top NPFL table

    Plateau United FC of Jos on Wednesday defeated visiting Rangers International of Enugu 1-0 in a rescheduled Matchday 9 match of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    With the victory, the NPFL reigning champions climbed to the top of the NPFL table with 18 points.

    Chizoba Amafule, new signing from Abia Warriors, gave Plateau United the lead in the 83rd minute, when he headed in after a lob by Ingbede. Rangers keeper, Thomas was beaten to the far right for the lone goal that took the champions to the top of the table.

    The first half was marked by the injury sustained in the 35th minute by Rangers forward Aguda, after a bad challenge from Plateau’s Golbe.

    Aguda was taken out of the field.

    Four minutes after, Plateau goalie Okiemute Odah stretched his full length to keep out Bright Silas’ attempt for Rangers, an effort that would have given the visitors the lead.

    The first half of the match ended goalless as both sides failed to undo each other.

    In the second half, the hosts mounted pressure on the visitors, such that the latter were made to seat deep in their own half of the field as they conceded free kick after free kick.

    In the 65th minute, Plateau made two tactical substitutions, introducing Peter Eneji to replace Osanga, and Abdulwaheed replacing Omoniwari. To pile more pressure on the visitors, Ibe Johnson also replaced Ambrose in the 75th minute.

    Two minutes after, the substitutions drew the result expected as Chizoba Amaefule headed the champions in front.

    Rangers made their own substitutions later on, but they were not so effective.

    After the match, Rangers Chief Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote said that his side was unlucky to go home without at least a point.

    “We did all we could to get at least a point but lost it at the last minute. It is unfortunate but it is one of those things in football.

    “We will take the positives from the game and make amends where necessary,”he said.

    Kennedy Boboye, Plateau United Chief Coach, said that his side played against a very technical team and was happy that they got the three points.

    Boboye said the three points were very important points to his side and would boost their morale as they travel to play on Tuesday in CAF Champions league.

    Amafule the scorer of the goal that gave United the victory, thanked God for giving them the three points in the match.

    He said the team was tired after the long journey from Cameroon, where they beat Eding Sports in CAF Champions League

    He said the team would do their best when they travelled to Tunisia for another CAF Champions League match against Etoile du Sahel.

  • MFM, Plateau Utd qualify for next round of CAF Champions League

    An 81st-minute goal courtesy of Chijioke Akuneto was all MFM FC needed to qualify for the next stage of African Champions League.

    The second leg of the first round of the 2018 CAF Champions League was played on Wednesday at the Agege Stadium.

    The Adekoya boys had played a draw with AS Real Bamako in the first leg played in Bamako.

    The match which had in attendance the 1st and 2nd vice-presidents of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, saw both teams playing cautiously but the home side made efforts to score an early goal.

    The effort never paid off until nine minutes to the end of the match when Akuneto headed home the only goal of the match to put smiles on the faces of the over 5,000 spectators in the stadium.

    Speaking to Tribunesport after the match, MFM coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, though was happy with the result said they had to work on their attack if they intended to go far in the competition.

    “The absence of my two key players affected us today and the fact that we missed so many scoring chances also means that we need to work on our attack against our future matches,” the coach said.

    Akuneto, in a chat with Tribunesport, said he dedicated the goal to the memory of his late parents and that he was highly elated to score in the match having realised that it is a long time a continental match was last played in Lagos.

    In another match involving Nigeria’s other representatives in the CAF Champions League, Plateau United defeated Eding Sport of Cameroon 1-0 to qualify for the next round on 4-0 aggregate.

    The only goal of Wednesday’s match played in Cameroon was scored by Raphael Ayagwa in the early minutes of the second half. The Nigerian league champions had earlier defeated the Cameroonians 3-0 in the first played in Jos.

  • El-Kanemi Warriors will win 2017/2018 NPFL title, Borno govt official says

    Yusuf Mohammed, a Deputy Director in the Borno Sports Council, says El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri are sure to win the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

    Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday he was comfident the team would finish at the top of the season’s league table in September.

    “By the special grace of God, El-Kanemi Warriors will be among the top four clubs in the country’s league.

    “In fact, I am confident that we are going to win the Nigeria Professional Football League title,’’he said.

    Mohammed assured that the team would soon return to its glory days, following the recent recruitment of coach Imama Amapakabo as the club’s Technical Adviser.

    NAN reports that Amapakabo, the former coach of Rangers International FC of Enugu, signed a two-year contract worth N750,000 per month and a sign-on fee of N15 million.

    The coach had led Rangers to the NPFL title in 2015/2016 before leaving the Enugu-based club under controversial circumstances last season.

    He was signed on by the Maiduguri side after the sacking of Ladan Bosso who led El-Kanemi to a sixth-place finish in the just-concluded NPFL season, and will be hoping to replicate his success with Rangers at his new club.

    “I can assure you that we will not only do well in the league, but also go ahead to play in the continent.

    “We still recall some of the laurels we won against the likes of Al Ahly of Egypt and also the Challenge Cup we won against Stationery Stores FC of Lagos in Makurdi.

    “This was when Retd. Col Abdulmumuni Aminu was the Governor of the state.

    “Late Amodu Shuaibu was the Coach of the team then and I am confident that with the coming in of our new coach Imama Amapakabo, those glory days will be back in the shortest possible time.

    “The quality of Amapakabo cannot be overemphasised as everyone in the league is aware of his capabilities and with the calibre of the technical crew at his disposal, I believe he will deliver.

    “Our governor, Kashim Shettima, has also promised to support the team 100 per cent and I am confident that what happened in Plateau last season will happen in Borno, come the end of the 2017/2018 NPFL season,” he said.

    NAN reports that El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri will begin their NPFL 2017/2018 season with a trip to Port Harcourt to tackle Rivers United FC on Jan. 14.

    The defending champions, Plateau United, start their title defence away to Nasarawa United.

    The 2017/2018 NPFL season has been slated to kick off on Jan. 14 and to end on Sept. 30.