By Taye Hassan Adigun
The Weekend games in the Nigeria Professional Football League will not go down without talking about this two teams from the Plateau as the premier league enters matchday 3.
Three points from Sunday’s Plateau derby would see either Plateau United or Wikki Tourists go top of the early Nigeria Professional Football League table, as well as securing regional bragging rights between the clubs for the coming months.
Follow live update and match buildup on www.felele247.com.ng/event
With both Plateau United and Wikki Tourists having started the season impressively with an home and away win in their two opening fixtures, the meeting since 2018 between the clubs from the North central of Nigeria and one of the two largest states in Nigeria should be crucial in setting the tone for what could well be excellent seasons for both teams.
How both clubs came into Life
Plateau United Football Club of Jos (usually known as Plateau United) is a Nigerian football (soccer) club, that plays in the Nigerian Professional Football League. Before 1991, they were known as the JIB Strikers FC.
The name “Plateau United” was the former name of their cross-town rivals Mighty Jets.
Wikki Tourists Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Bauchi, and currently playing in the Nigeria Premier league after promotion from the second-tier Nigeria National League after the 2014 season, the team is sponsor by the Bauchi State Government
The off season shows that both teams are so anxious to an impact in the league, as both teams were so busy on during the Nigeria Professional Football League transfer window, where they signed some and young and talented that the league boast of.
Plateau United’s massive recruitment was driven by the departure of players whom felt that their future lies somewhere else: Sikiru Olatunbosun, Isa Lankat and Hamzat all departed after their new clubs unilaterally agreed to pay the asking price.
Club manager Abdul Maikaba hinted that Plateau United will fight for the league title this season as the club embarked on massive recruitment to bolster their current, about ten players were placed to transfer market paving the way for the likes of Andrew Evans Ikefe who completed his from relegated Kwara United for undisclosed fee and new club sensation Nimrot Silas who had two goals to his billing was captured from JBS Football Academy, Jos.
Also teaming up with the likes of Elsha Golbe, Daniel Itodo is former Akwa United midfilder Michael Ibe and Tosin Omoleye who return from his six-month loan from the Egyptian giant Ngoroom FC.
Wikki Tourists: The departure of the club technical adviser Aliyu Zubairu during the club preseason programme was a somehow a big blow to the club, but the management and quickly drafted the club assistant coach to take charge pending when a new coach will be announced.
During the off season, former Niger Tornadoes Jackson Daniel and Musa Newman to team up with Adeshina Gata and Ahmed Jimoh to strengthen their attack.
Last matches Plateau United
Jigawa Golden Stars 0-1 Plateau United
Plateau United 3-1 Lobi Stars
Previous Season Performance
Kada City 0-0 Plateau United
Plateau United 2-0 Yobe Desert Stars
Go Round 1-1 Plateau United
Plateau United 2-1 Nasarawa United
Plateau United 2-0 Gombe United
Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau United
Wikki Tourists Last games
Nasarawa United 0-1 Wikki Tourist W
Wikki Tourist 2-1 Jigawa Golden Stars W
Previous Season Performance
Wikki Tourist 1-0 Enugu Rangers W
Lobi Stars 2-1 Wikki Tourist L
Wikki Tourist 2-1 Kwara United
Enyimba 1-1 Wikki Tourist
Wikki Tourist 1-1 MFM FC
Sunshine Stars 2-1 Wikki Tourist
Teams Plateau United Wikki Tourist played so far 5 matches.
Plateau United won 2 direct matches. Wikki Tourist won 2 matches. 1 match ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 1.80 goals per Match.
Plateau United in actual season average scored 0.92 goals per match. In 6 (50.00%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 3 (25.00%) matches in season 2019 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Wikki Tourist average scored 1.04 goals per match in season 2019. In 8 (66.67%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 5 (41.67%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Head to Head
Plateau United 1-1 Wikki Tourists
Wikki Tourists 1-0 Plateau United
Plateau United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Plateau United 2-0 Wikki Tourists
Wikki Tourists 3-0 Plateau United
