In what was undermined by the new era of the club, Plateau United fell to a 1-0 narrow away defeat to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi on Sunday evening. Sola Adegun and his new team were the spotlight of the day as everyone was anticipating what the new gaffer had in stock.
Adegun handed some of his new signings a full debut in the Yellow and White jersey with Wisdom Ndon, Dabo Joshua and Davou Jonathan all in the starting eleven. The new boys were completed with the experience of Albert Hillary who is the club’s new captain, the energy of Victor Dawa and the trickery of Samuel Kalu.
Despite a spirited performance from the PeaceBoys and a push for an equaliser, the newly promoted team held right until the final whistle.
Slow Start from the PeaceBoys
Right from the opening whistle, Plateau United looked the less energetic of the two sides. As early as the second minute, Amah John was forced to make an early save.
As minutes wind down, the trio of Victor Dawa, Mafeng Pam and Albert Hilary almost produced a breakthrough after a sublime passage of play but Hillary’s shot, however, failed to trouble the goalkeeper, as Plateau’s momentum went unrewarded.
Harrison Ebah stood strong a couple of minutes after to ensure the game remained balanced as he cleared a Tourists chance as Amah produced a smart save in the 25th minute.
The home side had the ball in the back of the net just after the hour mark but was called off as the assistant referee’s flag was raised. Plateau United were then inches away from taking the lead themselves just after the Tourists’ canceled goal, as Joshua Dabo’s overhead kick bounced onto the roof.
Penalty decider for WIkki Tourists
The decisive moment came five minutes before half-time as Wisdom Ndon was adjudged to have handled the ball after Amah punched clear a corner kick from a crowded area.
The Peace Boys’ protest of the decision fell on deaf ears as Wikki Tourists via (player who scored) made no mistake from 12 yards.
Plateau United attempted to respond before the interval with a late attack but Abdul Maikaba’s men held strong till the break.
Plateau United came back more energised in the second 45 as they wanted to level the score board. Samuel Kalu, Mafeng Pam and Tongshinen Dakup were inspiring in the passage of play but could not find the decisiveness in the final third.
Wisdom Ndon and John Amah continued to stand tall at the back despite continuous waves of Wikki Tourists attack.
Albert Hillary was forced off with an injury in the early stages of the second half but his replacement Saka Gafar could only find the side netting with his attempt.
Adegun turned to his bench after the hour mark, bringing on Gideon Monday, Kazeem Adeyanju and Gift Osadebe to inject fresh legs into the game. The substitutes almost made an instant impact. Kazeem tested the Wikki Tourists goalkeeper with a fierce strike but the goalkeeper stood strong.
Kazeem continued to look lively from set pieces, delivering dangerous free-kicks and corners that almost resulted in an equalizer but nothing to show for the efforts.
Plateau United dominated the closing stages. Saka and Kazeem were the men charged up in the closing minutes but were not clinical in the final third where it mattered most.
Wikki Tourists will eventually run away with the 1-0 lead as the game was brought to an end after five minutes was added to the regulation minutes.
Plateau United will now return to the drawing board and make corrections from their errors as they welcome Katsina United at home on Sunday, August 31, for match day 2 proceedings.