Plateau Vipers have joined COAS Shooters in dropping down to the National Division 1 Handball League as the last relegation spot of the 2021 Prudent Energy Handball League (PEHL) was decided on Tuesday.
Police Machines condemned Plateau Vipers to their ninth defeat (29-26 goals) at the Handball League taking place at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
A remorseful coach of Plateau Vipers, Abdulrasheed Salami attributed the outing of his boys to the exodus of key players to other clubs.
Salami told www.aclsports.com that he has accepted the relegation in good fate and will prepare hard for the 2022 National Division 1 League in Edo state.
He said, “Well, I am very disappointed in the result of the match played today because there were lot of technical hiccups in the match.
“I have told my boys that our relegation has been stamped by the loss, except if miracles happen when we play against Lagos Seasiders. If we beat Lagos Seasiders, Plateau Vipers will tie points with Kada Stars and the rules says Head to Head; the sad part is that we lost to Kada Stars too.
“I have taken the relegation in good fate, go back home, draw a new game plan and prepare well for the 2022 National Division One because we belong to the Premier League.”
He further said, “The major problem Plateau Vipers had was that most of our players moved to clubs within and outside the country. I have only three standard players currently in my team; some of the players played at the last U18/21 Championships.
“I would have missed the Premier League but the issues or relegation and I had to expose the younger players in the team. Plateau Vipers need to reshuffle and rebuild the team if we truly want to be back at the Prudent Energy Handball League.”
