Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
Super Eagles Captain’s inspirational promise of five hundred thousand naira per goal against the Simba FC of Tanzania in their CAF Champions League preliminary encounter failed to spur Plateau United to positive results as the Jos team crashed 0-1 before its home supporters including Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
Playing in the uncompleted Zaria Road Stadium, the Coach Maikaba boys collapsed to the superior and tantalizing wing display of diminutive Simba FC left winger, Louis Miquissone, who worked the ball past a sentry of Plateau United defence and forced the harpless goalie to cave in and give way to a goal by Simba’s Captain John Boko from a goal mouth struggle in the 52nd minute of play.
Pacy and penetrating wing incursions, accurate ball passes, midfield coordination, and superior ball possession by the home team in the first half came to naught as the fumbling attack squandered chances in front of goal.
Half time spiking by Coach Maikaba and Nigerian international, Ahmed Musa failed to impress as resumption of play in the second half saw the Plateau team dissipating in form, with fatigue and rust taking a toll on individual and combined display, with the visitors seizing the crumbled and collapsed midfield to unleash pressure on the disunited Plateau and weary the defense as supporters watched hand-in-chin with rising blood pressure.
At the end of regulation time, the home side was not in doubt that it is drenched and threatened by early elimination as it sprawled in the ashes of shame before the state governor, Simon Lalong, sports minister, Sunday Dare, all of who wore long faces as a boastful pre-match Coach Maikaba faded into the shadows, leaving Super Eagles handler Genhart Rhor and former national captain and coach, Austin Eguavoen with nothing to cheer and take away.
