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Gbenga Ogunbote Focused On Plateau United’s NPFL Survival Mission

Published

6 days ago

7:34 am

Gbenga Ogunbote Focused On Plateau United’s NPFL Survival Mission

Gbenga Ogunbote, Head Coach of Plateau United F.C., has reiterated that his primary objective is to steer the Tin City side clear of relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Ogunbote, who took charge midway through the 2025/2026 campaign, previously handled Shooting Stars Sports Club and has also had managerial stints with Enyimba F.C., Sunshine Stars F.C., Lobi Stars F.C., Remo Stars F.C., and Rangers International F.C..

Plateau United Suffer Late Setback In Kano

Plateau United endured a 1–2 defeat to Barau FC in a Matchday 28 fixture of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season on Monday in Kano.

Vincent Temitope stunned the home crowd with a fourth-minute opener for Plateau United. However, Barau FC restored parity in the 38th minute through Henry Ezeonye, a mid-season signing from Kun Khalifat.

Stanley Oganbor then sealed maximum points for the hosts, netting the decisive goal three minutes from time.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ogunbote — fondly known as ‘Oracle’ — maintained that survival remains the club’s overriding ambition.

“When I came, my target — which was also the club’s target before my arrival — was to ensure that Plateau United were not relegated. That has not changed,” Ogunbote stated firmly.

“That’s what I am doing at the moment,” he added with a broad smile.

Plateau United currently sit 12th on the NPFL table with 36 points, safely outside the relegation zone. Since his appointment, Ogunbote has overseen nine matches, recording five wins, two draws, and two defeats — a run that has significantly eased the club’s relegation fears.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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