NPFL 24/25: Desperate Plateau United sink Heartland FC in Jos
Eagle Eye Sports 24
The Nigerian Premier Football League(NPFL) Match Day 16 encounter between Plateau United versus Heartland FC of Owerri last Sunday in Jos attracted mixed emotions.
The Peace Boys were playing under close doors as a punishment for the unruly behaviour of their fans which resulted to NPFL hammer.
The highly tensed match saw Plateau United striking first in the 5′ as a result of Daniel Itodo’s long throw that resulted in a goal mouth scramble converted by diminutive Sunday Anthony for the Peace Boys first goal.
The match ended in a one goal lead in the first half.On resumption of the 2nd half the coach Emmanuel Amunike’s tutored Naze Millionaires raised up their game and a solo run by pint size Tobi Iyanda ,capitalizing on a defensive blunder slot in the equaliser in the 53′ of play to level score.
The equaliser change the dynamics of the game as center forward Iyanda made it two goals for the Nazi Millionaires in the 57′.
United got a respite in the 69′ when Sunday Anthony latched on a long throw from left back,Daniel Itodo’s long throw to equalised for Plateau United.
The match became a ding dung affair until the 90′ against the run of play when United beautifully orchestrated a counter attack from the right flank,courtesy of a pull out that found Mafeng Pam’s master stroke that seal victory for United.The winning goal was a typical Victor Igbinoba’s winning goal for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglet against the then West Germany at the Under 17 World Cup final in Beijing,China in 1985.
The victory takes Plateau United to 18 points in 15 position while Heartland remained on 20 points on 13 position in the 20 team log.
United travel to Lafia to confront Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Saturday at their adopted home ground while Heartland host Bendel Insurance at the Dan Ayiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.
