Plateau Utd Rue Loss To Sunshine

Plateau United of Jos skipper, Akpos Usu and his teammates departed Ijebu Ode with their heads bowed after losing yesterday’s Nigeria Premier League, NPL match 1-4 to Sunshine Stars of Akure.

The match, watched by less than 3,000 fans at the Gateway International Stadium, started on a promising note for the visitors from Jos.

With veteran coach, Bitrus Bewarang dictating instructions from the bench, Plateau took the game to their hosts right from the blast of the whistle.

George Akpabio, who scored Plateau’s only goal combined well with Caleb Baba and Emmanuel Odafe in the attack.

It was glaring that Plateau came to Ijebu Ode to shock their hosts, as they had four quick shots at goal withing the first eight minutes. But Sunshine struggled and contained them till the end, scoring four goals through Akombo Ukeyima and Atanda Shakibu, who each netted a brace in the tie.

It was a game that Plateau planned to win to get out of the relegation waters, but the result worsened their situation on the table.

As they filed out of the stadium, Usu summed up their feeling thus: “We are returning to Jos disappointed. It will be a shame if Plateau go down after the season, but I think the referees contributed to our loss in Ijebu Ode.

“Their calls made it difficult for us to play to our potential and the scoreline is scandalous.”

—Tunde Oyedele