Plateau United suffered a 3-2 defeat to Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium on Monday in the concluding fixtures of Match Day 9 of the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The hosts, Gombe United, who had only won one game before this one, got off to a flying start in the 12th minute when Anayo Ogbonna headed in Sadiq Shuaibu’s free-kick to put them ahead.
Six minutes later, Albert Hilary equalized for the 2017 champions, bringing the score to 1-1. This was short-lived, as Gombe United tied the game in the 23rd minute with a bullet header from Sadiq Shuaibu’s corner kick.
At the restart of the second half, Moses Adikwu equalised for his side to make it 2-2 in the 47th minute.
This goal set up a nervy encounter as both sides cautiously guarded their home while seeking the winning goal as well.
Four minutes into the additional time, the hosts were given a lifeline when Victor Dawa’s shot hit a Plateau United’s player’s hand inside the box and penalty was given which was scored by Mahanadou Souley as the game ended 3-2.
This victory gave the hosts their second league win with 10 points on 6th position while the visitors succumbed to a third defeat and are placed 4th with 14 points in Group A.
Similarly, Nasarawa United look to have recovered their form as they earned their second league win in the 2-0 victory over Remo Stars at the New Jos Stadium.
Joshua John gave the Solid Miners the early goal in the 8th minute to set the game on the right course to move out of the relegation zone.
The Blue Sky put everything forward to avoid a third league defeat but failed as Nasarawa’s Emmanuel Ogbole crushed their efforts in the second half with a rocket from outside the box.
The defeat becomes the third for Remo Stars who had started the season well and failed to lose in any of their first four fixtures.
As it stands, they have now failed to win and secure all three points in their last four league fixtures.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the concluding match of the fixtures will be played betewen El-Kanemi Warriors and Kwara United as the league goes on a three-week break due to the 2023 General Elections.
