Sporting Lagos end Plateau United’s perfect home run in EUROMATCH NPFL

Plateau United manager Gbenga Ogunbote described his side’s 3-2 defeat by Sporting Lagos as a “bad day” after they surrendered their unbeaten home record in the EUROMATCH NPFL on Sunday.

The Jos-based team had won all four of their home matches before the ninth-round meeting, but were beaten in a contest that saw the lead change hands before Sporting Lagos scored the decisive goal late on.

Sporting Lagos opened the scoring after 10 minutes through Aliyu Baba, but Plateau United responded with two goals from Victor Dawa to take a 2-1 advantage into half-time.

Victor Samuel brought Sporting Lagos level in the 53rd minute before Plateau United were reduced to 10 players with 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors took advantage of the extra man and secured victory when Aondona Adeede scored in the 82nd minute.

The result lifted Sporting Lagos to third in the table on 15 points, one place above Plateau United, who have 14 points.

Ogunbote rejected the suggestion that his players had become complacent, saying they had made a genuine effort but failed to protect their advantage.

“I think it was a difficult one for us, I won’t say complacency because the boys put in their very best unfortunately we gave up the lead and things fell apart,” Ogunbote said at his post-match press conference.

“The only thing is that we had a bad day today but we will take the positives from it to tell us that it’s a lesson for us to brace up.”

The Plateau United coach also acknowledged Sporting Lagos’ performance, saying the visitors had produced one of their best displays.

“Sometimes one game is not enough but they (Sporting Lagos) did very well, they were at their best today.”

Ogunbote viewed the defeat as an early warning for his team, despite their strong start at home.

“This is week nine, unfortunately, nobody wanted to lose the game but we lost. Even a draw would have still been termed as a loss to us. But like I did say it’s good it happened early so that it would make every one of us to wake up, to know that we have not gotten there yet.”