Coaches and Football enthusiasts have heaped praises on the standard of organisation and play by the teams in the 2025 NLO League, Jos Centre.
Many of the fans spoken to gave a thumbs up to the Plateau Football Association,PFA, led by Dr.Prince, Hon Suleiman Yahaya Kwande.
Speaking to ssimedia247.com.ng, a fan, who has been on ground since the commencement of the league, Innocent Ari, appreciated the PFA for ensuring the matches were played in jos instead of the usual Bauchi. He said ‘ it’s a good one that we’re seeing our teams play here, we can assess their level of play and their confidence will grow. Moreover, it has helped the economy of the state.
I also want to appreciate the PFA Chairman, Hon Kwande, and his board, for the excellent job they’re doing since they came on board’.
Another fan, Emmanuel Sunday, expressed his delight for providing fans the opportunity to watch these grassroots football teams first hand on a standard turf.
In the first match , coach of Vom Vet, Nazir Muhammed, was full of praises to the organisers,PFA and the referees for the level of officiating but rue the chances missed by his players against the table toppers,Mighty Jets Feeders, a game that ended 1 all. Coach Nazir, said ‘we thank God for the game, that’s how it’s designed that it will end.We pushed harder but it never happened, we’ll keep trying harder to pick maximum points in our subsequent matches”. He further maintained that ” the officiating has been excellent and the PFA has tried with this NLO,we thank them”.
For coach Garba Bombers Musa of Mighty Jets Feeders Intl, it was an interesting match that they knew will be tough and it wasn’t anything short of that. “it was an interesting match that we knew will be tough and was the way we predicted, our plan was to take the maximum points but our opponents too desire it, but in all it wasn’t a bad result. I need to commend my players too, for their resilience, of not for that little mistake that led to the equaliser, it would have been all 3pts.We’ll keep pushing to consolidate on our position at the end”.
Getting the maximum points was the goal for Ben Akwuegbu Fc, thus, coming into the match against Plateau Jets SC, they never hid their intentions from the blast of the whitle as the match ended 2-0 in their favour. Speaking after the game, coach Joshua Zira, praised the effort of his players and attributed it to hardwork, patience and dedication as ingredients for their win.
“the magic was nothing but hardwork, patience and dedication, after going three matches without a win, we came in to this match with the intention of getting a win and we did it,we’ll continue to take each game.as they come and hopefully, get the maximum points for us to finish respectably”. However, coach John Dantoro, attributed the loss to fatigue on his boys and commended the opponents for their level of play.
Also, an elated Coach of Global Peace Fc, Abdullahi Lukman, after getting the maximum points, the first of the league, said “it calls for celebrations, but just like I’ve also said, we are work in progress. Thanks to the players for their calmness and dedication even when the results are not forthcoming. We hope to ensure better results in our next matches and I need to commend the PFA, Referees and media for the great job”. Meanwhile, Coach Sunday Moses, of AC Midlands, assessing the match maintained that “the match wasn’t a bad one, I salute Global Peace, they played well as the game was intensed that it could go anyway. It was a momentary loss of concentration that led to the goal, we didn’t come with the intention to lose but that’s football, you win some and lose some, there are still three matches to go, we’ll continue to prepare in taking those points.
The last match of the day between Maichibi Utd and Mafeng Fc, was rain-soaked that the game was abandoned at 1-0.On resumption, Mafeng got an equaliser and when it seems the match was heading for a draw, Maichibi had another goal that led to protest by Mafeng Fc who abandoned the match before the referee blew the final whistle.
Maichibi Utd handler, Ayuba Jonathan, commended his players for the win, though it would have been with a big margin, if not for the chances missed but it was a fantastic win.We’ll continue to get proper strategies that will always work for us”. However, Coach Bright Toma of Mafeng Fc, will not agree to the officiating as he disputed many of the referees decisions.
Results MD8
Vet Rovers 1-1Mighty Jets Feeders.
Ben Akwuegbu 2 – 0 Plateau Jets.
Global Peace 1 -0 AC Midlands.
Maichibi Utd 2 -1 Mafeng Fc.
Next matches: Thursday 15th May.
AC Midlands Vs Maichibi Utd-10AM
Jos Dream Big Vs Global Peace-12noon
Plateau Jets Vs Attarah FC-2pm
Mighty Jets Feeders Vs Ben Akwuegbu- 4pm
Friday 16th May
Mafeng Fc Vs Vet Rovers-10AM
Credit: Nathaniel Mobolade, SSI Media
