Plateau United head coach, Coach Shola Adegun has commended his players for their determination and spirited second-half display in their impressive 2–0 triumph over Barau Football Club of Kano in an NPFL Matchday 8 encounter at the New Zaria Road Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The Jos-based side displayed tactical discipline and resilience, overcoming a balanced first half to seize control after the break and secure all three points before their home supporters.
Speaking after the match, Coach Shola expressed delight at his team’s response and focus:
“We give glory to God for the victory and the three points. The first half was balanced, but in the second half, the boys came out with fire, scored the goals, and gained the confidence to express themselves. We’re pleased with their performance, though we had some nervy moments. It’s a work in progress, and we’ll keep improving.”
Plateau United broke the deadlock in the 50th minute through Amietimi, who finished off a clever assist from Tarabina—nicknamed “our own Camavinga” by fans—before Vincent Temitope doubled the lead five minutes later with a curling strike set up by Mancha.
Emphasizing the team’s ambition to climb the NPFL standings, Coach Shola added:
“Plateau United should be competing at the top. We’re not satisfied with our current position. Our next away game is crucial, and we must approach it with the right mentality to secure points on the road.”
He also addressed concerns over player fatigue following their recent trip to face Kwara United:
“The trip was tough, and some key players were tired. We rotated the squad, and the players who came in showed great quality, which we’re thrilled about.”
Meanwhile, Barau FC’s head coach, Ladan Bosso, admitted disappointment with the result but maintained confidence in his team’s potential.
“If someone had told me we’d lose today, I wouldn’t have believed it. We planned to take all three points. The first half was excellent, but we lost concentration in the first 15 minutes of the second half, conceding both goals. We need to work on maintaining focus throughout the game.”
Bosso, however, took the loss in stride, reflecting on football’s unpredictability:
“That’s the beauty of the game—sometimes you pick points away, sometimes you falter at home. Despite our board and proprietor’s passionate support and motivation, we couldn’t capitalize today. We were the better side but failed to turn that into results. We’ll learn from this, go back, and focus on playing with purpose.”
With the victory, Plateau United gain momentum and confidence as they prepare for their next fixture against Niger Tornadoes, while Barau FC will look to regroup and correct their lapses ahead of their upcoming matches.
STORY CREDIT: Gold Longkye Markus
PICTURE CREDIT: Plateau United Media