We suffered a tough 1-0 loss to Plateau United on matchday five of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season after a second half strike beat substitute goalkeeper, Chinemerem Olughu.
LINE UP: Faith James; Waliu Ojetoye, Harrison Uzondu, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Okekeaniokete Uzochukwu; Kelechi Onwe, Rivio Ayemwenre, Shola Adelani, Emmanuel Solomon; Chilaka Thankgod & Chinemerem Chinonso.
The pace of the game at the start was quite low with little chances here and there. Rivio forced Plateau United goalkeeper Emeka Nwabula into a decent save before Muhammad Umar sent a free header wide.
Plateau United however had the last chance in the first half. A long range strike from Victor Dawa needed strong hands from Faith James to keep the scores level going into the break.
With spirits high, the second half started and we looked to get an early goal to calm nerves. Unfortunately, ten minutes into the half, our goalkeeper James Faith picked up a an injury to his knee after challenging for a ball and was replaced by Chinemerem Olughu while Alade Solomon also came on for Chilaka Thankgod.
Seven minutes after the change, Plateau United went in front courtesy a strike from Vincent Temitope. From then on, it became a one-sided affair as the lads searched for a response.
Substitute Alade Solomon was first to hit an effort which went slightly over the bar. With ten minutes to play, Gidado Toyeeb came on for Emmanuel Solomon and almost had an instant impact as his effort from range was cleared by a last defender on the line.
In the final five minutes, we finally got a goal. Gidado’s freekick was connected to and the goal fumbled his catch, dropping it in his goal, Chineme however with a follow up ensured the safety of the goal but was ruled out for offside in the build up.
Almost immediately, Chineme Chinonso hit a strong volley forcing Emeka into a huge save to keep the home side in the lead. Afoke Malik came on inside two minutes of additional time but there wasn’t enough left in it as we fell to a loss in Jos.
UP NEXT
The lads return home to face Bendel Insurance in MD6 of the NPFL25 on Saturday, 12th October, 2024.
SUBSTITUTES
OUT: James Faith IN: Chinemerem Olughu 55’
OUT: Chilaka Thankgod IN: Solomon Alade 55’
OUT: Emmanuel Solomon IN: Gidado Toyeeb 80’
OUT: Solomon Alade IN: Afoke Malik 90+2’