Plateau United moved into the top three of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after a memorable 1-0 away win to Enugu Rangers at the FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, Nnewi.
A fifth minute goal from Buhari Ibrahim was all that Plateau United needed to earn all three points; their first away win of the season.
Buhari had capitalised on a goalkeeping error when Bamidele Adeniyi of Rangers misjudged the flight of the ball following a long throw from Plateau skipper Daniel Itodo. Ibrahim had nothing but an empty net to nod into, silencing the home crowd.
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Rangers came close to equalise by creating two chances in quick succession. First through Christian Nnaji whose close range effort was saved by Plateau goalkeeper, Anozie Ifeanyi. This action was followed up by a long range effort by former Super Eagles winger Ejike Uzoenyi, with the ball missing the target by whiskers.
At the start of the second half, Rangers coach Abdul Maikaba made three substitutions including taking off Ejike Uzoenyi who was arguably his best player in the first half as well as taking off midfield dynamo Kenechukwu Agu.
Rangers should have equalised midway through the second half when Christian Nnaji found himself one on one with the goalkeeper only to drag his shot wide to the disappointment of the home fans.
The Flying Antelopes kept mounting the pressure in search of an equalizer and nearly got one when Christian Nwobodo’s delivery found Samuel Pam in the six yard box only for the midfielder to miss.
Fidelis Illechukwu’s men held on for a memorable win against a Rangers side that have now gone three matches without a win in the NPFL.
What the Managers said:
Abdul Maikaba of Enugu Rangers:
“Today, we were poor in our creativity especially in the final third. Congrats to our opponents, they were solid in defence and prevented us from developing our natural attacking football.”
Fidelis Illechukwu of Plateau United:
“Today my boys put in a great shift, playing simple and followed all our tactical instructions to the latter.
It’s great to get our first away win of the season and also against a great side like Rangers. We will do our best to build on this win.”
