Ogunbote rues Plateau United’s loss to Sporting

Plateau United coach Gbenga Ogunbote has admitted that his side lost control after taking the lead in their 3-2 defeat to Sporting Lagos in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League clash in Jos.

The defeat at the New Jos Stadium ended Plateau United’s perfect home record this season, having won their previous four matches on their own turf.

Sporting Lagos took the lead through Aliyu Baba in the 10th minute, but Victor Dawa scored twice to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Victor Samuel equalised for the visitors in the 53rd minute before Plateau United were reduced to 10 men following Alex Aghahowa’s dismissal in the closing stages.

Sporting Lagos capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Jacob Aondona scoring the winner in the 82nd minute to complete the comeback.

Speaking after the match, Ogunbote rejected suggestions that his players had become complacent but admitted that surrendering their lead proved costly.

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“I think it was a difficult one for us. I won’t say complacency because the boys put in their very best. Unfortunately, we gave up the lead and things fell apart,” he said.

“The only thing is that we had a bad day, but we will take the positives from it to tell us that it’s a lesson for us to brace up.”

The former Shooting Stars coach praised Sporting Lagos for their performance, acknowledging that the visitors had taken their opportunities when they mattered.

Ogunbote also described the defeat as a timely wake-up call, saying his players needed to recognise that there was still work to do despite their strong start to the campaign.

The result lifted Sporting Lagos to third place with 15 points, one point above Plateau United, who dropped to fourth with 14 points.

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