NPFL abridged league is tougher and more competitive – Plateau United’s Hamza Abara 

By Wale Mustapha

Chief Coach of Plateau United, Hamza Abara believes the abridged format of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL is tougher and more competition for clubs than the straight league calender.

Abara comments is coming on the heels of his side’s 2-1 victory over Nasarawa United on Wednesday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, where the Tin City club grabbed the crucial second half matchwinner.

Mustapha Ibrahim’s 20th minute header opened the scoring for Plateau United before former youth international, King Osanga cancelled the lead for the Miners seven minutes from half time. After the break, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, however benefited from a slip in Nasarawa goal area to net the 66th minute winner off Daniel Itodo’s long throw.

Reflecting on the hardfought victory, the former Niger Tornadoes’ coach opened up the secret behind his side’s second half strong display to pick the maximum points at the espense of the struggling hosts.

“You could see the matches are getting tougher and tougher and the clubs are getting more stingy in terms of conceding goals and even scoring,” Abara told NigeriaFootball.ng.

“This is because abridged league is a more difficult and it brings more competition among the clubs.  We had to play like this today, as you know if you look at the table, we are not comfortable that is why we came all out for this match, approached it that way and we are happy it worked for us.”

The defeat condemned Bala Nikyu’s men to the fourth defeat of the season and also leaves them without a win in five consecutive matches and Abara who sympathizes with the Solid Miners, feels they can turn their fortune’s around.

“It was an unfortunate defeat for our brothers, Nasarawa United, we normally play at the same ground but today we cannot compromise in our professional ethics,” Abara continued.

“I will not say they are not a good side because they’ve been losing matches, they have quality players and are playing well, its just a difficult time for them and I hope they get out of it soon.”

Plateau United will host Kwara United on Sunday in their next Nigerian league fixture in Group A while Nasarawa United will be guest to Shooting Stars on the same day in Ibadan.