Plateau Still Nursing Title Hopes, Trailing Rivers By 10 Points

The 2021/22 Nigeria Skilled Soccer League (NPFL) season for lengthy intervals has been a two-way battle between 2017 champions Plateau United and Rivers United.

The 2 groups have been slugging it out till Rivers United opened a five-point hole, then seven and it has now change into a ten-point hole on the prime of the log.

Powered by Chijioke Akuneto and Rafiu Ishaq’s objectives, Rivers are prime of the desk with 70 factors, 10 greater than the closest rivals, Plateau United.

With 5 video games left of the season, a whole lot of pundits have already given the title to the Port-Harcourt facet, contemplating they’ll wrap up the title with simply two wins from their remaining video games.

Solely a monumental catastrophe from Rivers, a significant one at that matter, will see Plateau sneak in, however additionally they must most likely win all their remaining video games.

Regardless of the chances stacked in opposition to them and the title seeking to head to Port-Harcourt, lots in Plateau United’s ranks really feel the title race isn’t over but.

Centre again Andrew Ikefe, forwards Jesse Akila and Nenrot Silas advised wwe.npfl.ng that they’re nonetheless hoping for a miracle and haven’t given up the chase – not less than not but.

“A ten-point hole is huge regardless of the way you take a look at it, however we is not going to hand over but. Soccer isn’t arithmetic, as you understand, so we are going to hold pushing till it’s inconceivable once more,” Ikefe enthused.

“We’re nonetheless combating, there may be nonetheless hope, however we are going to solely hand over primarily based on the result of the subsequent two video games, that’s once we will really feel it’s over.

“For us, if we win our subsequent house recreation (vs Gombe United) we’re very positive of second place then after the subsequent two we are going to know our destiny, however we’re not giving up,” he added.

Ahead Jesse Akila was additionally equivocal about his crew’s title possibilities as he advised the title chase isn’t over but as Plateau United will hold combating.

Akila, who has scored eight objectives for Plateau United this season, feels there may be extra to return from this season because the title has not been misplaced but by his crew

“We haven’t given up but as a result of mathematically we nonetheless have hope as a result of I learnt Rivers have two away video games,” he advised npfl.ng

“We hope they drop factors there, after which we see the way it goes, however be relaxation assured that we’re nonetheless combating. “Akila.concluded.

Nenrot Silas, who has been a mainstay within the crew this season additionally revealed the temper within the crew is considered one of hope because it isn’t over till it’s over.

“It’s soccer, it’s by no means over till it’s over. There’s all the time an opportunity, and that’s what I imagine.

“Regardless of how the desk appears to be like for the time being, we at Plateau United will proceed to imagine it’s doable as we’re nonetheless combating for the title,” he added.

This weekend, Plateau United will deal with Gombe United in Jos whereas their title rivals Rivers United are away to Rangers Worldwide of Enugu in Awka.