2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 35: Plateau United dispatch resilient Benin Arsenals

Posted : 28 April 2025

As the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 35 beckoned for the Benin Arsenals in Jos, who arrived on the back of remarkable performances in recent matches, earning an impressive 32 points since Match Day 16, with only two defeats to Bayelsa United and Abia Warriors on Match Days 27 and 29, respectively, Plateau United FC knew it would be a tough fight against the more resilient side in Jos.

The Peace Boys, having suffered a points deduction in the penultimate week, had only lost once in the last 8 games since Match Day 28, when they defeated Abia Warriors 1-0 in Jos.

The action-packed 2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 35 game against the Benin Arsenals featured key moments of attacking and defensive brilliance, including early flashes of brilliance from Muhammad Umar, whose deadly flick off Adamu Abubakar's supply threatened Bendel Insurance's Joshua Baba, who put up an impressive performance on the evening.

After ten minutes, goalkeeper John Amah made a remarkable stretch to keep out Kayode Oke's strategic header, which seemed goal-bound.

Seventeen minutes into the contest, Adamu Abubakar dispatched a terrific free-kick that beat Joshua Baba and ripped into the back of the net. This caused an outcry from the Benin Arsenals, who protested when the referee ruled it a legitimate goal, giving the Peace Boys a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Subsequent video reviews after the game confirmed the referee's decision to rule the attempt as a goal.

Bendel Insurance then surged for an equalizer when a fine combination of passes resulted in Uche Collins' close shave attempt, missing the target by inches.

The Peace Boys also showcased some impressive passing combinations, with magical movements from Vincent Temitope down the left flank for the visitors, along with additional goal attempts from Muhammad Umar, who felt hard done by for failing to convert any of his great efforts.

Plateau United then pressed for a second goal, which came through sustained pressure and combination play. Adamu Abubakar received the ball in the opposition area, cut inside, and finished superbly to grab his second goal of the Match Day.

Bendel Insurance refused to give up without a fight, as Stanley Okorom unleashed a thunderous free-kick deep into the game to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at full time in favor of the Peace Boys.

Plateau United will now focus on the President Federation Cup Quarterfinal tie against Rangers International of Enugu in Abuja on Saturday, May 3.

Bendel Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, said it was a keenly contested encounter but admitted that his team would now focus on the next task, as football always provides three possibilities: to win, lose, or draw.

Plateau United Technical Adviser, Mbwas Mangut, expressed delight following the victory, amidst suggestions that the team was getting stronger by the day and hopes to continue on that trajectory, considering the upcoming schedules in the President Federation Cup and NPFL demands.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 35: Plateau United dispatch resilient Benin Arsenals

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