Plateau United 2 Enugu Rangers 0: Kennedy Boboye’s men win Nigeria league title
[contextly_auto_sidebar]
The Peace Boys have recorded an unlikely feat in Nigeria’s football history with their first-ever top-flight title, pipping the holders in Jos
Plateau United has won the Nigeria Professional Football League title to sum up a fairytale season defeating the defending champion Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Jos.
Kennedy Boboye’s men could have been crowned with two games to go when they faced Rivers United at the Rwang Pam Stadium, but saw their celebrations delayed after they drew 1-1 with Stanley Eguma’s men.
But goals from Emeka Umeh and Benjamin Turba were all the Jos based side required to defeat the defending champions and made history at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
The Peace Boys have not been positioned lower than second since February and have held on to first place consistently 33 weeks, holding off the challenge of MFM to clinch a first ever top-flight crown.
The bid for diadem saw the hosts began the contest in high spirit as Kabiru Umar missed a seater which could have put Plateau in front in the 18th minute.
In the 25th minute, Umar breezed past his marker to reach the box, and pass on to Emeka Umeh, who fired in the opener from close range.
The hosts came close to securing their second goal of the day as Umeh set up Kabiru Umar, whose aimlessly shot wide in the 36th minute.
Five minutes to the break, Umeh secured a breakthrough into the visitors’ box thanks to Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in, but his finish went off target.
In the 54th minute, Emma James sent in a beautiful cross, but Umeh’s header was far from promising in the second half.
Seven minutes later, Rangers got their best chance of the match through a goal mouth scramble but Plateau narrowly avoided the moment.
Umeh and James both had their moments of scoring but the Flying Antelopes relentlessly defended well to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
In the 86th minute, Benjamin Turba netted from short distance after benefiting from a goal match scramble to guarantee their title success.
The victory hands Plateau the first ever title in history and the first for a Jos based side in 45 years since Mighty Jets secured the crown.
Having emerged champions, they have now automatically qualified to represent the country in next year’s Caf Champions League.