Plateau United and Mighty Jets begin NPFL pre-season with victories in Jos

Plateau United and Mighty Jets made winning starts to the NPFL pre-season tournament at New Jos Stadium on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, with both matches decided by narrow margins.

Plateau United overcame Rivers United, while Mighty Jets recorded a similarly close victory against El-Kanemi Warriors as the competition opened in Jos.

The tournament is intended to provide important preparation for clubs competing in next season’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Alongside those teams with confirmed continental commitments, Plateau United and Mighty Jets have been invited as wild-card entrants.

With the new NPFL season approaching, the opening fixtures offered the participating clubs an opportunity to test themselves in competitive conditions rather than relying solely on training and friendly matches. The two results also gave the winning sides an early boost, although the primary purpose of the tournament is to build readiness for the campaign ahead.

Plateau United’s narrow success over Rivers United was one of two closely contested matches on the first day. Mighty Jets then matched that result by edging El-Kanemi Warriors, ensuring that both opening games ended with the same scoreline.

The tournament brings together clubs preparing for different challenges. For those involved in African competition, the matches form part of their preparations for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. For Plateau United and Mighty Jets, their wild-card places provide an opportunity to compete alongside teams that already have confirmed continental responsibilities.

The opening day therefore served as an early assessment of the sides’ progress during pre-season. It also allowed the clubs to gain competitive minutes before the start of the new NPFL season, with the demands of domestic and continental football still to come.

Further matches are scheduled in the coming days as the pre-season programme continues at New Jos Stadium. The remaining fixtures will give the participating teams more opportunities to develop their preparation, while also extending the tournament’s role as a staging point for the new season.

For now, Plateau United and Mighty Jets lead the early narrative after securing narrow victories on matchday one. Rivers United and El-Kanemi Warriors will look to respond in the next phase of the competition, as the clubs continue their build-up in Jos.