Plateau United return to Jos ahead league opener

Plateau United return to Jos ahead league opener

By Amaechi Agbo

Former Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champions, Plateau United have returned to Jos after a 5-day training camp in Abuja.

The team returned this afternoon to Jos, capital of the state in readiness of their opening match of the 2018/19 NPFL season against archrivals, FC Ifeanyiubah.

The team while in Abuja played top grade matches against fellow NPFL clubs such as Kwara United and Nasarawa United as well as Nigeria's Under 20 team, the Flying Eagles.

The team in their first match played a 1-1 draw with Kwara United on Tuesday the same scoreline they recorded against the Solid Miners, Nasarawa United on Wednesday.

However, the coach Abdu Maikaba-led lads suffered a 0-1 defeat in the hands of the Flying Eagles on Thursday before they jetted out of the FCT back to Jos.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, captain of the side, Golbe Elisha said the team was ready for the kickoff of the league on Sunday.

Golbe who refused to set target for his teammates added that the abridged format of the league makes it a difficult season because any lost point could not be regained due to lack of time.

"In terms of preparations, we are not far behind because we just came to Abuja on Sunday to prepare for the league which commences on Sunday. We are ready and the grade A matches we have played with other league teams are getting us well-prepared ahead of the league opener.

"Abridged league is not an easy league because when you draw a match at home, you will be in for it. But we will put our heads together and take our matches one after the other because it is going to be a tough league.

"For now, we are not going to say we will win the league but we will take our matches one after the other and the points will speak for us at the end of the season," he said.

Plateau United will take on FC Ifeanyiubah in the Matchday One of the 2018/19 NPFL. The match will Kickoff by 4pm on Sunday.