By Our Football Correspondent in Maiduguri
In a gritty encounter that proved more about steel than silk, El Kanemi Warriors secured a massive three points against Plateau United, grinding out a 1-0 victory that sent the home crowd into raptures.
It wasn’t a goal-fest, but for the Borno fans, it was a tactical masterclass in defensive resilience and opportunistic clinical finishing.
The game’s decisive moment arrived when the Warriors’ frontline finally breached the resolute Plateau backline. While the visitors arrived in Maiduguri boasting the goal-scoring prowess of Vincent Temitope, it was the home side’s tactical discipline that stole the headlines.
The Match Winner: Though Plateau United’s defense looked solid for large periods, they couldn’t account for the decisive strike that separated the two sides.
El Kanemi’s attacking unit played with a “never-say-die” attitude that eventually wore down the visitors.
The Wall of Maiduguri: A special nod must go to the El Kanemi defensive unit.
Tasked with shackling the dangerous Temitope, the Warriors’ center-backs put in a shift that would make a Premier League defender proud, recording a vital clean sheet.
The Plateau Engine: For the visitors, Gideon Monday and Gafar Saka tried to spark a comeback in the second half, but they found the El Kanemi midfield—led by the tireless Salihu Nasiru—impossible to bypass.
The result sees El Kanemi leapfrog their rivals in the standings, continuing their impressive mid-season surge.
For Plateau United, it’s a long journey back to Jos wondering what might have been if they had taken their early chances.
