Nigerian Football
NPFL 2017: Plateau United On the Edge of History
By Andrew Randa
Plateau United’s fairytale in the Nigeria Professional Football League would be complete if they get the job done over Rangers International of Enugu on the final match-day at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.
Not many gave Kennedy Boboye and his wards a chance at the start of the season but after putting in the leg work, the Jos-based side is unarguably the stand-out team of the season.
Needing a point to lay their hands on a first ever Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) title, they
will do all they can to put smiles on the faces of Jos fans who have had to endure almost two decades of heartbreak.
No major title has come to the North-central state since the 1999 Federation Cup (now Aiteo Cup) when Donatus Iloka’s solitary goal crowned Plateau United winners of the cup.
Npfl.ng went around Jos to feel the pulse of the fans as the final game of the season looms on the horizon. The frenzy and ‘noise’ decibels have stepped a notch as a lot of fans are already in a celebration mood.
Plangkat Milaham, Jos-based Pharmacist
“It was exhilarating to see Plateau United promoted to Nigeria’s top-flight league in 2015.
Fans were also elated that there were great strides towards improving the club. The appointment of Coach Zachary Baraje particularly brought me great joy. At that moment, I knew the club was ready to play ball and it wouldn’t be long before we clinched the League title.
“The 2016 season was a great one. Our home record was amazing, it was beautiful seeing Plateau United trounce visitors on home ground. We didn’t make the top four as we finished sixth but we were excited.
“Life as a Plateau fan even got more exciting when Coach Kennedy Boboye took over. We expected more from the team this season and the boys didn’t fail to deliver. Soon we will make history and be crowned Champions of Nigeria.
“I love the team and the excitement they bring but my personal favourite player is Daniel Itodo. I love him for his long throws. It’s always a delight seeing him provide assists with long throw-ins from
every part of the pitch.
“Hopefully, winning the league will be just the beginning because I believe our best years are still to come.
—Shuaibu Umoru, Financial Expert, Jos.
“Watching Plateau United surge to the top of the table and at the cusp of victory is a feeling I can’t explain. Personally, I wasn’t sure we were going to be in the top three teams this season but the team has done quite well to get to this level.
“I grew in Jos playing football for local teams and we all had dreams to play for either Highlanders (as Plateau United was called then) or Mighty Jets and win titles with them.
“That didn’t happen for me but I’m still overjoyed that by God’s grace the Nigeria Professional Football League will be coming to Jos.
“I watched Plateau United defeat Iwuanyanwu Nationale to win the FA Cup in 1999 and I thank God that I will see another title triumph with my beloved United. I want to plead with the government to invest more in sports and youth development because that is the future of any state
or country.
“Plateau United’s success this season should show the government that sports and the youth can bring glory to them.
“For me and my friends, we will be in at the stadium in Jos where hopefully we beat Rangers International to win the title. I’m very excited right now”.
Mary Dalyop. Student, Plateau State Polytechnic
“My joy is so much that I cannot express it right now. I’m very sure the team will do us proud and win the league. I’m a student but I always make out time to go and watch the team play. I have been a fan
of the team for the past four years now and the journey has been remarkable I must admit.
“One thing that has really made me happy is that there is little or no rivalry now between Plateau United and Mighty Jets. Everyone has come to support the team unlike last season and a few seasons back when fans of Mighty Jets will come to the stadium to cheer away teams.
“We do not see that again and I believe that is one of the reasons why the team has been successful this season. I’m very happy and I hope the government will continue to support the club when the CAF
Champions League starts”.
Yohanna Ibrahim, Businessman, Jos.
“I was happy when Plateau United appointed Kennedy Boboye as the coach but I never thought we will be in this position as we are right now.
“To be candid, I will be lying if I said I knew the league might be heading to Jos. We only need to draw the last game to win the title but I never saw it coming.
“Kudos to the management of the team, the players and the Governor for supporting and motivating the team. You just need to go into town to see how people are excited about the prospect of a first ever title for Plateau State.
“One thing that is happening without many people knowing is this success is generating a lot of interest among the youths. If you go to many football fields in Jos, you see young kids wanting to be Elisha Golbe or a Benjamin Turba.
“I also saw a few last time I went to watch a local training practicing how to throw the ball like Daniel Itodo does for Plateau United. Our impending victory has made more young people to take football and
training more serious.
Hopefully, the government will key into this. I can’t wait for the final game of the season and I hope the boy will make us proud”.
Sunday Longbap. Chairman, Plateau State Football Association.
“It has been a very tough season for the team but I’m glad we are in a position to celebrate and say we have done well for ourselves.
“I must give kudos to the management of Plateau United for all they
have done to get the team to this level and top of the league.
“The players too have given their all and I must commend them for making Plateau State proud. They gave their all on the pitch and have done Plateau State proud.
“We had a mission this season and God had blessed us to be top of the league and on the verge of winning the league. I and my board are extremely happy that during our tenure, we were able to lead Plateau United to glory.
“I want to specifically thank his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon Simon Lalong for his unflinching support for the team. He has motivated the boys to do well and you know that nothing beats motivation. His Excellency has shown that he is a man of his words and always fulfils his promises. Youth development and sports have always been on top of his agenda and this impending success is a testament to that.
“I want to thank him and the entire government for all they have done for the team this season and by God’s grace on Sunday, we shall deliver the title and trophy to him”.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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