Plateau Utd Emerge 2017 NPFL Winner
Plateau United are the newly crowned champions of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Tin City side achieved their first ever title glory after the side defeated the immediate past champions, Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Sunday’s top-flight final day matchday 38 clash at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos.
The Jos landlords earned the top-flight top prize of Fifty Million Naira (N50m) and coveted trophy with 66 points four behind closest challengers, Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC who went down 1-2 at El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.
The two top-flights, however, will represent the country in the next Africa’s elite club championship, Caf Champions League.
Plateau United have now joined city rivals, Mighty Jets as teams that have brought top-flight glory to the Tin state.
Towering striker, Ckukwuemeka Umeh calmly slotted in the match opener beyond the reach of Enugu Rangers goalkeeper, Itodo Akor in the 26th minute to the wide jubilation of expectant partial crowds at the stand.
The home lads have to wait for a tense period before substitute, Benjamin Turba grabbed the match winner off a loose ball inside the box in the 89th minute to give the side a comfortable two un-replied goals lead.
The Flying Antelopes who put up a good challenge in the clash had a goal bound effort by Bright Silas in the 62nd minute cleared off the goal line to the relief of the teeming crowds. The closest and clearest chance the Coal City side had in the encounter.
It was, therefore, a huge relief to the partisan crowds at the well packed 15, 000 seats Rwang Pam Township Stadium when the centre referee, Shuaibu Abdullahi signalled to the end of the hotly contested clash.
Elsewhere, seven-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba confirmed their Caf Confederation Cup ticket with a slim 1-0 win against newcomers, Katsina United in Calabar to end the season’s campaign on the third spot on 61 points one point above closest challengers for the Africa’s second tier club championship, Akwa United.
However, the likes of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC were unlucky against their final day opponents, Niger Tornadoes, and Nasarawa United respectively as they joined the already demoted duo, Gombe United and Remo Stars to the murky water of relegation.
