Plateau United assistant coach, Sani Adamu has explained the reason why defensive duo of Jimmy Ambrose and Victor Dawa were withdrawn in the second half of their 2-1 defeat at Bendel Insurance in Saturday’s NPFL matchday 15 clash at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Completesports.com reports.
Insurance raced to an early lead when Uche Collins opened scoring just seven minutes after kick off.
But Victor Dawa drew Plateau Utd back on level terms on 24th minute as both sides went into the half time break one goal apiece.
However, Plateau United technica crew withdrew the pair of Jimmy Ambrose and Victor Dawa and replaced them with Chinedu Sunday and Franklin Ebuka respectively in the second period.
Jimmy Ambrose was already on yellow card and afraid of him being sent off, Coach Mangut Mbwas had to withdraw him.
However, Sani Adamu, Plateau Utnited’s Assistant Coach who spoke during the post match press conference instead of Mbwas Mangut, the technical adviser, explained that the substitutions were made in the best interest of the team.
Adamu, a former player of the team and third in the hierarchy of the club’s coaching crew behind Patrick Mancha (Chief Coach) and Mbwas Mangut (Technical Adviser), responded to questions on what informed the substitutions since the club conceded the second goal soon after the substitutions.
“It’s natural in football to make changes in the course of a game”, Adamu said.
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“Anytime you’re playing, you’re doing so with the prime objective to win. We made the changes in order to beef up our defence but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Its part of the game”, Adamu submitted.
The defeat leaves Plateau United in 17th position on the standings with 15 points after 15 round of games.
Appraising the 2024/2025 NPFL season, Coach Adamu posited that though the domestic top-flight is getting better, there’s still room for improvement.
“No doubt the league is getting better but I think there’s still room for improvement. And I think that if we continue with the improvement, definitely we’ll get it better”.
Up next for Plateau United is a matchday 16 clash against rejuvenated and rampant Heartland FC and coach Adamu sounded loud and clear that ‘its victory or nothing’ against the Naze Millionaires.
“All that we’re thinking of is victory against Heartland. When coming here (Benin), we had in mind to come and win but unfortunately, we didn’t get it”, he said.
“We’re now going back home to prepare for the match against Heartland with the sole objective to get the three points”, Adamu reiterated.
By Sab Osuji
