Plateau United head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has urged his players to respond immediately after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Rivers United in their opening game of the 2026/27 NPFL season in Port Harcourt on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Jos-based side endured a difficult outing at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, conceding twice in the first half as Rivers United secured all three points. Abdulrasheed Dabai opened the scoring for the hosts in the sixth minute before Wasiu Falolu doubled their advantage in the 38th minute, leaving Plateau United with a disappointing start to the new campaign.
”We did not get it right in the first half, and there are some other things that we corrected at halftime when we had the break. We saw the dividend, but we did not take advantage of it,” Ogunbote told newsmen after the game.
”We played like a more balanced side in the second half, but unfortunately the pitch did not allow it; then our reactions were a bit poor and slow. Apart from that, it is a learning lesson, and we will take the positives from it,” the former Shooting Stars handler added.
”You will agree with me that our second half was a better one compared to the first half. We will take the positives, and I am sure everyone has learnt one or two lessons from it and then go back to the drawing board,” the Oracle concluded.
Plateau United will face Kwara United in their next outing on Sunday at the New Jos Stadium in search of their first points of the season.
