'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Nigerian Premier League has begun in earnest and has gone 10 games into the season. Most of the time, it is risky to judge the outcome of seasons on just the performances of the first 10 games.
After 10 games in the Nigerian Premier League though, it is fair to believe that Plateau United has all it takes to go all the way and make the League title theirs come the end of the campaign. True, it is too early to say it categorically but if they continue to perform at the level they are going at present, the sky will be the limit.
They are in a scintillating form at the moment and it doesn't look like they will slow down anytime soon. Below are three reasons why we believe Kenedy Boboye's men have put themselves in a strong position to be crowned the champions of the Nigerian Premier League at the end of the term:
#1 They are in a fine form
At the pinnacle of the season, when the end is near, teams tend to get cold feet. That means they have dips in form; especially teams that were riding high at the beginning of the term. It is hoped that Plateau United will not have such problems as their season is going to depend on their consistency.
At present, there is no team in the league that has as much form as Plateau United. The club recorded two victories, two draws and one defeat from its past five games in the division. The Jos outfit looks set to make a statement this term and it has already put many of its rivals on the chase.
In fact, it appears to be doing better than Enyimba, who claimed the title last season. Many believe that the Aba side is Plateau's biggest rival in the division. Hence, outperforming them makes a good statement in the title race. Plateau currently sits at the top of the table, three steps ahead of Enyimba, who comes forth.
#2 Their attackers are firing on all cylinders
If it is noted that they are in fine form, then their attackers are the icing on the cake. They are in scintillating form at present. With the form of Ibrahim Mustapha on the rise and Silas Nenrot, Uche Onwuasoanya not far behind, with Amos Gyang, Bernard Ovoke and Micheal Okoro Ibe weighing in every once in a while with a goal here and there, there is no limit to what they can do this season.
Ibrahim Mustapha, although being the club’s highest goal scorer at present, is still ranked at number 4 on the scorers' chart with 4 goals. He is tied with Akwa United’s Ndifreke Effiong Udo, Lobi Star’s Alimi Sikiru, Katsina United’s Tasiu Lawal and Isaac George of Dakkada FC.
Silas Nenrot has scored 3 goals at present, Uche Onwuasoanya contributed 2 goals and Amos Gyang, Bernard Ovoke, and Micheal Okoro weighed in with a goal each. With the goalscoring form these players are in, Plateau United have every reason to celebrate at the end of the season, provided they can manage to avoid injuries.
#3 Their defence is one of the meanest in the league at present
In football, there is this general belief that if the attack is in excellent form but the defence is in shambles, it won’t make much difference. Well, this appears to be true and Plateau United is aware of this fact. This is why they have put a solid defensce in place to always cover up while the strikers manage their businesses upfront.
At present, in the league, it is only 2nd-placed Lobi Stars, 5th-placed MFM and 9th-placed Kano Pillars who have conceded fewer goals. Lobi Stars conceded 4 and MFM conceded 5, although both teams have played one less match. Kano Pillars also conceded 5.
Plateau United, on the other hand, have conceded 6, but looking forward to their goal aggregates, there is no team in the league that has a better goal difference. Plateau United has 10 goals and the closest to them, 2nd-placed Lobi Stars have 8 goals on goal difference.
With such astute and committed defenders like Daniel Itodo, Jimmy Ambrose, Elisha Golbe, Elijah Ogene, Bitrus Wash, Hamisu Saleh, Peter Clinton, Chizoba Amaefule, Gabriel Wassa, Zulkifilu Rabiu and Mike Zaruma watching over their defense, they can go all the way this time around.
