Battling to avoid the drop following their infamous 3 points deduction for poor crowd and fans unruly behaviour in their home game against Enugu Rangers International of Enugu, Plateau United knew they must be at their best to beat Kano Pillars
The Management of Peace Boys as Plateau United are fondly called deliberately increased the gate taking from #200 to #500 hoping that this will reduce the number of the passionate fans that usually throng the stadium. This was to forestall any repeat of breakdown of law by fans. United and Pillars clash has always recorded the highest attendance
Driven by passion for their teams, the #500 gate fee didn’t deter the home fans, who as usual came out in their numbers to occupy the uncompleted New Zaria Road Stadium
The jubilant and noisy stadium was however silenced as the visitors took a deserved lead in the 30 minute through Jerry Alex by tapping in a pin point corner delivered into the penalty area by the legendary Rabiu Ali. The visitors would go on to dominate the first half combined with some time wasting tactics by the away team
Coach Mbwas Mangut half time talks paid off immediately as the Masu Gida Boys of Bar Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang dominated their Masu Gida of Abba Yusuf.
As usual and as always, Legendary Daniel Itodo shown that he can provide a better assist than his counterpart Rabiu Ali when he delivered his trademark long throw that was simply tapped in by Sam Pam Jnr at the far end of the goalpost in the 57th minute
With the game squared, Plateau United stamped their authority on the match by mesmerizing Pillars with tiki taka to a resounding ovation from the fans
As the clock ticks with their sights set on the maximum three to help pull clear of the relegation, the Peace Boys took the lead in the 76 minutes through Saka Gafar
Gafar rivalled Victor Oshimen’s second goal for Nigeria against Rwanda in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier by receiving a through pass from the halfway line and dismissed his marker before racing to slot past the onrushing Pillars goalkeeper
With the victory, Plateau United climbs to 13th on the table with 38 points while awaiting NFF Appeals Committee verdict on their 3 points deduction
Meanwhile a trip for reunion to former Manager’s Club, Enugu Rangers for a midweek encounter starts tomorrow for United. The match originally scheduled for Sunday next week was brought forward because of sallah celebration coming up at the weekend
