Plateau United Technical Adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has voiced his immediate ambition to win an away match to stabilise his struggling team and possibly inspire them to fight for a top three finish that will guarantee them a place in next season’s continental football, Completesports.com reports.
After a last gasp 3-2 win against Heartland in a matchday 16 clash Sunday in Jos, Plateau United will travel to bottom of the table placed Lobi Stars coached by Daniel Amokachi in what has been tagged ‘North Central Derby’. Lobi Stars’ makeshift home ground, Lafia City Stadium, is the venue for the Saturday, December 14 clash.
Plateau United are 15th on the standings with 18 points, just two points above Lobi Stars who occupy the last rung on the log with 16 points.
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Mangut, a former Enugu Rangers Assistant Coach, believes that three points on the road could help Plateau United recover the three points they dropped on home soil in a matchday three 1-2 defeat by Niger Tornadoes of Minna in Jos.
“The gap between teams in the relegation zone and those perceived to be outside of relegation zone isn’t much. It’s just a matter of one or two games and you’re there [out of relegation zone] and even to fight for a continental ticket as well,” Mangut responded when asked about his team’s upcoming trip to Lobi Stars in the potential ‘North Central Derby’.
“For now, we need a one away victory to cover the one we lost here. That will stabilise the team”.
Plateau United came from 2-1 down to claim a vital win against Heartland in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 16 fixture in Jos with two late minute goals. The Tin City side conceded two goals in ten minutes and Coach Mangut declared that they were lucky to have plucked the maximum points against Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland.
Mangut added: “First of all, I really have to thank God for the victory. Also, I must give credit to the boys for being able to deliver the last goal that gave us this important win.
“Really, the boys were so tensed up which triggered anxiety and so much concern about the position of the club on the league table which is not good for anybody. And I know its natural for such errors because they were trying to be conscious of it and to avoid it.
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“But it’s quite awful for defenders to be clearing free balls like that. That’s difficult to understand. And in ten minutes you give out two cheap goals only for you to start coming from behind to get it back. That’s absolutely inexplicable. We’re just lucky to get those two late goals.”
Plateau United were without the duo of Vincent Temitope and Adamu Abubakar, both wingers, who are in the Super Eagles B Team Camp preparing for the CHAN qualifier against Ghana.
Mangut recognised their qualities but refuses to accept that the players’ absence affected his team in the tie against Heartland.
“No, football is all about chance. I believe those who are in that same position should have a chance.” he said.
“I don’t think that they did badly. But, of course, you can’t remove quality. You know, players can never be of same quality and if one is ahead of the other, you should give it to him. But those that played lived up to expectation so much so that we’re able to get victory.”
By Sab Osuji
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