Plateau United FC of Jos at the weekend defeated the visiting TEAP FC of Abuja by a lone goal scored in the 67th minute.
The match was played at the Jos Rwang Pam Township Stadium, in the week 8 of the on-going Nigeria National League Group A.
The thrilling encounter ended goalless in the first half but the TEAP side, owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), had the better part of the game in good possessions, launching attacks that yielded no fruits.
It was a good return for the United side into the second half as a hand ball by TEAP defender in the vital area was punished by a controversial penalty awarded by center referee Abdulgani Olariwajun. The decision cause a hold-up of the match as the visitors contested the decision.
A well executed kick taken by skipper Emeka Awaziem found the right corner of the net.
United’s goal motivated the players whose domineering possessions on the ball with persistent attacks on goal produced no further goal. However, Shehu Zabad’s 85th minute header could have restored parity but the cross bar came to their rescue.
However, in a related development the TEAP’s head coach, Mr. Donald Malamo Paris, has attributed his team lost to “referee’s error.”
He said: “The boys have put in their best, played good football but the penalty awarded the visitors was of dubious origin.
“I do not want to criticize officiating, but I think the referees should improve more, because the penalty was not a penalty. The player chested the ball and a penalty was awarded.
“We must not win in all the matches, but good officiating should be the order of the day.”
Meanwhile the Prison Service FC of Abuja, who played host to Mighty Jets FC of Jos were imprisoned at home by a lone goal. Jets have thus recorded two straight away wins after recovering from their previous defeat in their last match.
