Six games into the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, Plateau United have made a noticeably better start than they did 12 months ago.
The difference is clear in the results, but it also goes beyond the league table.
After their first six matches last season, the Peace Boys had six points from two wins and four defeats. This season, they have collected 11 points from three wins, two draws and just one defeat following Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Inter Lagos at the New Jos Stadium.
Gideon Monday opened the scoring before Jibril Ibrahim added a second as Plateau United secured another home victory and moved up to second place on the table.
That represents a five-point improvement at the same stage of the campaign.
A BETTER START IN THE RESULTS
The contrast between the two starts is difficult to overlook.
Plateau United’s opening six matches last season produced four defeats, leaving the team with just six points.
This season, the Peace Boys have lost only once, against Rivers United on the opening day, before responding with wins over Kwara United and Shooting Stars and draws against Niger Tornadoes and Doma United.
The 2-0 victory over Inter Lagos then completed a six-game run in which Plateau United have already collected 11 points.
The team have also scored nine goals in those six matches compared to five at the same stage last season, while conceding six compared to eight.
It is an improvement in both areas, but the manner in which those numbers have been produced is perhaps even more significant.
SET-PIECES BECOMING A WEAPON
Plateau United have also shown considerable improvement from set pieces.
Jibril Ibrahim has scored twice directly from free kicks this season, giving the team an additional source of goals when open play becomes difficult.
The Peace Boys have also scored twice from corners during their opening six matches.
That means four of their nine goals have come from set-piece situations, highlighting an area that has become increasingly important to the team’s attacking output.
The quality of delivery and movement inside the box have given Plateau United another way of threatening opponents, while Jibril’s ability from dead-ball situations has provided an individual threat.
EXPERIENCE ADDED TO THE SQUAD
Another noticeable difference is the experience available within the squad.
Players such as Jimmy Ambrose, Ikouwem Utin and Okiemute Odah have brought valuable NPFL experience into a group that also includes several younger players.
Their presence offers Plateau United greater experience in key areas of the pitch and provides the team with players who understand the demands and physical nature of the league.
Odah has already produced important saves during the opening weeks of the season, while the experience of players such as Ambrose and Utin has added another layer of maturity to the squad.
It is still too early to say how much of the improvement can be attributed to the new additions, but the squad appears to have a stronger balance between experience and younger players.
A MORE CONFIDENT ATTACKING SIDE
The attacking numbers also point to a different Plateau United.
Nine goals from the first six matches is already four more than the team managed at the same stage last season.
But it is not simply the number of goals that stands out.
Plateau United have looked more willing to commit players forward, move the ball with greater purpose and attack spaces when opportunities appear.
The comeback against Doma United was one example of that mentality.
After falling two goals behind, the Peace Boys recovered to draw 2-2, with Gideon Monday and Paul Samson finding the net.
Against Shooting Stars, they scored three times, while the 2-0 victory over Inter Lagos showed their ability to maintain pressure until the breakthrough eventually arrived.
A DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE AROUND THE TEAM
The change can also be felt around the club.
Last season’s difficult opening produced visible frustration among supporters, with the poor run of results affecting the atmosphere around the team.
This season has been different.
The improved results have brought more optimism, while the New Jos Stadium has also seen stronger support during home matches.
The decision by the Plateau State Ministry of Sports to cover ticket expenses for the club’s first three home matches has also made it possible for supporters to attend without paying an entry fee.
It would be difficult to determine exactly how much of the increased attendance is directly linked to the policy, but the free entry has removed one barrier for supporters and has contributed to a livelier matchday environment.
That greater connection between the team and the stands has added another positive element to the club’s early-season progress.
A FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON
The first six matches do not determine the outcome of a league season, but they provide a useful snapshot of where a team stands.
For Plateau United, the comparison with last season is encouraging.
Six points and four defeats after six matches last season have become 11 points, three wins, two draws and one defeat this time around.
The Peace Boys are scoring more, conceding fewer and have also developed a stronger set-piece threat, with four goals already coming from free kicks and corners.
The squad also contains a blend of experienced players and younger members, while the improved results have helped create a more positive atmosphere around the team.
The challenge now is to maintain those standards over the next phase of the campaign.
Six games have provided a stronger start. The real test will be whether Plateau United can turn that early progress into consistency across the season.