NPFL Title Race Not Over – Plateau Stars

Plateau United trio Andrew Ikefe, Jesse Akila and Nenrot Silas remain confident of winning the NPFL title despite being nine points with a game in hand behind leaders Rivers United, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 2017 Nigerian Professional Football League champions must win their remaining five fixtures and hope Rivers United falter in their next four games.

Plateau United will host Gombe United in Jos while their title rivals Rivers United are away to Rangers International of Enugu in Awka.

Defender Ikefe believes Plateau’s next two games will determine their title chance this season.

“A nine-point gap is massive no matter how you look at it, but we will not give up yet. Football isn’t mathematics, as you know, so we will keep pushing until it is impossible again,” Ikefe told npfl.ng.

“We are still fighting, there is still hope, but we will only give up based on the outcome of the next two games, that is when we will feel it is over.

“For us, if we win our next home game (vs Gombe United) we are very sure of second place then after the next two we will know our fate, but we are not giving up,” he added.

Akila was also equivocal about his team’s title chances as he suggested the chase isn’t over yet.

Akila, who has scored eight goals for Plateau United this season, feels there is more to come from this season as the title has not been lost yet by his team

“We haven’t given up yet because mathematically we still have hope because I learnt Rivers have two away games,” Akila told npfl.ng.

“We are hoping they drop points there, and then we see how it goes, but be rest assured that we are still fighting.”

Silas, who has been a mainstay in the team this season also revealed the mood in the team is one of hope as it isn’t over until it is over.

“It is football, it is never over until it is over. There is always a chance, and that is what I believe.

“Despite how the table looks at the moment, we at Plateau United will continue to believe it is doable as we are still fighting for the title,” he added.