As Plateau United FC and Mighty Jets Mata file out tomorrow in the Quarter Final and Round of 16 matches in Abuja and Ayingba by 4pm and 1pm respectively, the PFA Chairman has called on all and sundry to come together and cheer the teams to victory.
Speaking to journalists when leaving Jos for Abuja with his Board Members, Hon.(Dr) Suleiman Yahaya Kwande says: “I must first and foremost commend the Sports loving Executive Governor of our State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for always been there when it comes to peace building, youths empowerment and unity amongst the people. The success sports is currently enjoying on the Plateau is due to the conducive environment created by his Excellency. These two matches involving both Plateau United and the women team of Mighty Jets, Mighty Jets Mata are very important to us. With the great work been carried out at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Plateau United’s qualification to the continent through this Federation Cup will be a huge one for football not only on the Plateau but Nigeria as a whole. And for Mighty Jets Mata making it to the Round of 16 is a big testimony on our mandate in making sure female football is revived on the Plateau. I commend the management, coaches, players and supporters of both teams for getting this far and my earnest prayer is for both teams to win the trophy.”
“You can see that we are the PFA are not taking this President Federation Cup for granted, we are going there enmass. And am calling on lovers of Plateau United and Mighty Jets Mata to also be on ground either physically or with their prayers.”
It would be recalled that the last time Plateau United qualified to the quarter final was in 2017. Plateau United lost to Niger Tornadoes at the quarter final in Jos on a Sunday morning, of which Tornadoes made it to the final of that year’s FA Cup, loosing at the final to Akwa United. Since 2017, Plateau United had never made it to the quarter final.
Plateau United FC won the FA Cup in 1999, beating Iwuanyanwu Nationale 1-0 to win their only trophy of this competition thus far.
And it’s on record that Mighty Jets Mata are the first women team ever on the Plateau to make it to the President Federation Cup Round of 16.
Mighty Jets Mata will confront Unification FC of Lagos on Saturday at the Ayingba Stadium, Kogi State, while Plateau United FC will take on Enugu Rangers on Same at the Area 3 Football Playing Field, Abuja by 4pm.
