Total CAF Champions League (TotalCAFCL) campaigners Plateau United were on Wednesday boosted by a surprise visit of the Plateau State governor Simon Lalong to their training session ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tanzanian Champions Simba Sports Club.
United, coached by Abdu Maikaba are making a return to the Champions League after an abruptly ended campaign in 2018 and in order to get the team fired up for the challenge, Gov. Lalong thought to surprise them with the visit in the company of his Chief of Staff, Noel Dongjur.
Lalong congratulated the team for picking a slot to put the state’s name on the continental map once again and reminded them that they are not only representing the state but Nigeria at large.
“Remember you are not only representing Plateau State but Nigerians, as such you have to brace up and win the match convincingly.
“As a government, we will continue to support you to ensure you do well in the CAF Champions League and the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL,” said Lalong who donated a cash gift of one million nairas to the team.
The governor also went round the dressing room of the Jos international stadium promised that edifice will be completed before the end of his tenure in order to boost sporting activities in the state.
In a related development, Plateau United’s opponents in the preliminary round of the TotalCAFCL, Simba SC of Tanzania have arrived Nigeria ahead of Sunday’s first leg clash.
The team made up of twenty-four (24) players and eleven officials touched down at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday afternoon aboard an Ethiopia Air Flight from Addis Ababa.
The East Africans will fly to Jos, venue of Sunday’s game on Thursday and will be allowed to train inside the mainbowl of the New Jos Stadium on Friday and Saturday according to CAF stipulations regarding synthetic pitches.
