A moment of pure brilliance from Gafar Saka was all it took for Plateau United to claim maximum points over Bendel Insurance in an open, end-to-end contest that kept fans at the edge of their seats at the New Jos International Stadium. Peace Boys, as the boys from the tin city are fondly called triumphed 1- 0 in a match where intensity, grit, suspense and flair were all on display.
The encounter, officiated by FIFA referee Yusuf Tanko from Kano, started with early drama. Vincent Temitope survived a scare in the 4th minute after a heavy challenge but quickly shook it off to become one of the afternoon’s standout performers. His early defensive work proved decisive, notably in the 10th minute when he read a dangerous Bendel corner perfectly to win a goal kick for United.
A sloppy touch from Plateau United’s Gift Osedese in the 11th minute almost gifted Bendel Insurance a chance, but he recovered swiftly to put the ball out for a throw-in. The resultant long throw found a towering Bendel’s Stanley Okorom, whose header forced United’s goalkeeper John Amah into a full-stretch goal-line save that drew applause from the Jos faithful.
Plateau United began to settle into rhythm, dominating possession but failing to convert their control into clear chances. Ebah Harrison was immense in midfield, winning every tackle and cutting out Insurance’s counterattacks, while Temitope dazzled in the 15th minute with a slick dribble that left his marker stranded.
Biweribo Tarabina’s trademark long throws continued to trouble Bendel’s backline, one almost produced the opener before the visiting goalkeeper, Baba Joshua bravely intervened to deny United an opener in the 18th minute. The collision with United’s Gafar Saka temporarily halted play as medics were called to duty.
Bendel’s shot-stopper Joshua, however, grew in confidence, commanding his area and dealing expertly with United’s aerial bombardment unleashed by the athletic Tarabina long throws.
In the 26th minute, Insurance’s Promise Itoro, who had been repeatedly tormented by Saka’s trickery, helplessly resorted to hacking him down and was duly cautioned by referee Yusuf.
Insurance enjoyed a brief spell of dominance between the 30th and 35th minutes, with a series of corners and long throws from their own version of Tarabina called Henry Onyia testing Amah, who had to pull off back-to-back saves to keep his side level. The Plateau keeper would however, require medical attention but soldiered on bravely.
Captain Mafeng Pam led by example in midfield, steadying the tempo and rallying his teammates. In the 40th minute, Temitope’s quick throw forced Insurance into conceding a corner, while moments later, Bendel’s Emmanuel Dung pounced on a misplaced pass to give the home fans a brief scare.
Bendel’s Stanley Okorom was shown a yellow card in first-half added time for delaying the restart of play, as the half ended goalless despite the visitors’ late surge.
The second half began with Plateau United pushing harder for a breakthrough. Tarabina launched three consecutive long throws that rattled the Bendel defense but failed to produce the finishing touch. Coach Shola Adegun’s frustration was visible when Lateef Kazeem overdribbled and lost possession in the 48th minute.
Insurance should have punished a lapse in set-piece marking soon after, but they blazed their chance over from close range, a miss they would come to regret.
Then came the moment of magic. In the 55th minute, Saka produced what could easily become a Goal of the Season contender. Twisting and turning inside the box after receiving the ball from Mafeng Pam on the left side of the penalty area, he danced past five defenders with his back to goal before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner. The stadium erupted as Jos shook under the roar of the Peace Boys faithful.
Insurance made tactical substitutions, introducing Kayode Oke and Efe Ubiomo in an attempt to find a response, but the goal appeared to ignite Plateau United instead. The hosts began to play with confidence and fluidity, pushing for a second.
Saka was fouled in the 63rd minute, winning a dangerous free kick, and Temitope came close again moments later with his curling shot destined for the top corner until the inspired Bendel goalkeeper, Baba Joshua pulled off another save.
Despite Insurance’s late pressure and long throws from Henry Onyia, goalkeeper Amah John remained rock-solid, ensuring that Saka’s masterpiece was enough to seal a memorable home victory.
A dangerous freekick awarded to the away team in an exceptional display of bravery by FIFA Yusuf in the 94th minute created a nervy moment and sent the stadium into cemetery -like silence but United’s backline defended resolutely to the applause of the home fans
With the win, Plateau United extend their unbeaten run in Jos, strengthening their reputation as one of the most intimidating sides on home soil.
Under Coach Shola Adegun’s tactical guidance and the administrative leadership of Barr. Gideon Izang, the Mutfwang’s Boys have continued to blend youth, flair, and discipline, qualities that have made Fortress Jos a nightmare for visiting teams.
