Plateau United v Niger Tornadoes Preview

By: Timothy Dehinbo

Plateau United would be looking to bounce back from the loss against
Akwa utd last weekend, which ended their unbeaten run, when they host Niger Tornadoes on Match Day 9 on Sunday evening at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium.

Christian Pyagbara and Alhassan Ibrahim goals in Uyo on Match Day 8 ended Plateau United’s eight match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The League leaders could not come to terms with their defeat at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Chima Ndukwu, came in as a substitute to get a consolation goal but it proved nothing against the crucial goals scored by Christian Pyagbara and Alhassan Ibrahim for the Promise Keepers.

After the loss, Plateau utd coach, Kennedy Boboye cried that his attackers were not clinical in front of goal.

“I know that one day our unbeaten run in the league will come to an end, but not against Akwa United. I’m not really convinced and impressed with their performance in the clash.

“Our attackers were poor. If they had converted the chances at goal we would have even scored more goals.

“We’ll get back home to be ready for the clash against Niger Tornadoes” said Boboye.

They still remained top of the log despite the loss with 17 points.

For Niger Tornadoes, they were 1 nil victors over Enyimba courtesy a strike from Sadiq Suleiman in the first half.

After the win, former Enyimba player, Ifeanyi Okoye, applauded Niger Tornadoes for defeating Enyimba 1-0 on Sunday.

He was glad to show his former team that he could still play at the highest level despite his injury woes.
“It was a good win for us. It was not easy at all but we are grateful to God for making it possible,” Okoye said.

”Enyimba came all out but we showed them that we needed the points than they did. It was made easier after, when they were reduced to 10 men.

Tornadoes Skipper, Mustapha Aliko, was also delighted with the win.
“Our win against Enyimba was fantastic. We are very happy and still celebrating it” he said.

“We knew that they will be tough for us, but we trained and prayed hard, charged ourselves up and at the end, God crowned our efforts with victory.

“Honestly, Enyimba was a very good side and they really gave us a huge fight.

“We gave 120 percent of our best to ensure we won.

“We are glad we won and we hope to remain focused by giving our best in coming matches.”

Tornadoes moved to sixth position on the log with 12 points from eight games.

This game last season was a 2-1 victory at home for Plateau utd and 1 nil win for Niger Tornadoes at home.

Plateau utd have only lost once this season, Niger Tornadoes also are unbeaten in their last five matches, so the game would be very open, but Plateau should get a slim win.
PREDICTION: PLATEAU UTD 2-1 NIGER TORNADOES