2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 26: Peace Boys show grit to ground Bayelsa United

Posted : 27 February 2025

It was a rain-drenched encounter the last time both sides met on 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 6 in Yenagoa, a game in which Bayelsa United edged the Peace Boys 1-0 to secure maximum points.

This time, it was clearly an unexpected battle to avoid relegation on both ends, and a win or loss would prove crucial.

For most parts of the game, the Peace Boys dominated possession, except for a few moments that caused jitters.

Mustapha Abdullahi's decision to play a back pass to goalkeeper John Amah was intercepted by Bayelsa United's Rabiu Abdullahi, who broke clear. However, his one-on-one attempt was calmly saved by John Amah.

Kalu Samuel remained very active in attack, producing several remarkable goal attempts that could have easily resulted in conversions.

The visitors played mostly on the back foot for large parts of the first half, with goalkeeper Andy Ezekiel Clinton making a series of crucial saves to keep his side in the game.

When it seemed like the match was heading toward a stalemate, Ahmed Umar Farouq unleashed a stunning shot from over 25 yards with sublime technique, giving the Peace Boys the advantage after 72 minutes of action and sending the fans into raptures.

In the heat of the action, Daniel Itodo came close to securing a goal for the hosts, connecting with a diving header that missed the target by inches.

Emmanuel Ihezuo had a golden opportunity to seal the victory when he received a brilliant defense-splitting pass from Ahmed Umar Farouq, but his effort narrowly missed, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

In the 90th minute, Abubakar Adamu’s relentless drive towards the opposition’s goal area inspired a moment of brilliance from the Super Eagles B team winger, as he curled a sublime shot that struck the top left corner of the woodwork—an attempt that could have ended the visitors' push for an equalizer.

Bayelsa United’s head coach, Meremu Okara, admitted that his team lost because they failed to convert several clear-cut chances.

Meanwhile, Plateau United’s Technical Adviser, Mbwas Mangut, expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience in securing maximum points. However, he emphasized the need for positive results on the road to comfortably avoid relegation and focus on reaching the club’s true potential.

Match Day 26 saw three draws, one away win for Niger Tornadoes against Lobi Stars, and four home wins, forming the biggest statistics from Day 1. Two more fixtures are set to be decided on Day 2.

Up next, Plateau United will travel to Southwest Nigeria to face current league leaders Remo Stars on Match Day 27.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 26: Peace Boys show grit to ground Bayelsa United

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics