Sammy Wejinya
Nigeria, April 24, 2016 – Plateau United struck late to deny Rivers United a share of the spoils on Sunday in an action-filled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game decided in Jos.
Plateau won 2-1 with the winner arriving on the stroke of full time. The hosts took the lead at the Rwang Pam Stadium in the 14th minute through Benjamin Turba following a long throw in from the right.
They could have easily added to their tally in the first half but were denied by impressive defending by the visitors until the referee brought the first half to a close. Rivers United looked a better side after the after half time and duly got their reward through Chukwunonso Okonkwo who equalized with a looping header in the 80th minute.
It was his fourth goal in as many matches and gave the visitors renewed belief as they began playing with vigour and poise, while pressing for a late winner. There was to be late drama in the end as the Rivers United goal keeper, Sunday Rotimi inadvertently diverted yet another long throw into his own net in the 90th minute. Plateau United head coach, Zachary Baraje was pleased with the win but insists he needs a ‘turning point’ in the form of an away win in the coming days.
“I am praying I get the opportunity to reinforce the team with some mature players. If that is done, I do not see this team facing relegation. Right now, I need a turning point by getting some points away from home,” Baraje told RIVERS UNITED MEDIA.
The Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma said his team will now train for their next league game against Enugu Rangers in Port Harcourt on May 1.
“We should have gotten a point or even all three today but we lost it (at the death) We must put that behind us now and look ahead to the next game,” he said. Plateau United moved up to 12th on the league standings with 17 points from 13 matches while Rivers United dropped two places on the log to 7th with 19 points from 13 matches.
