Plateau United coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that fans’ reactions after his side’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kwara United in his first NPFL home game in charge last season, he left the Club.
Ilechukwu, who led Plateau United to the CAF Champions League after the team’s runners-up position, while speaking exclusively to Battabox, said football fans on the Plateau love Plateau United and they want the team to win at all times.
Recounting his experience, Ilechukwu said, “Kwara United was one of the best teams in Nigeria in the first round of the 2021/22 NPFL Season. The possession aspect, quality aspect, and experience aspect, they were good. Ikefe got injured in the 17th minute and Lokosa who’s one of the best strikers in the league gave us (Plateau United) problems.
“So, when I looked at the game, they had over 80% possession. I decided that we can only win this game by packing the bus in order for us to go home with 3 points. I parked the bus from the first half of the game to win.
“After the game, the fans said no! We don’t want, we need good football and it was so heavy on me. I told the director that I can’t continue in this place. I parked my bag the next day saying, I was going. The people of Plateau State love football so much, and they want their team to win at all times.
Asked why he didn’t leave, he said, “I didn’t leave again because the General Manager, Pius Henwan, spoke to me. He said I did a wonderful job and that he understood what happened in the game.
“The General Manager told me that, he believed in me so much. And I also commend him for doing a good job for the team.”
Plateau United’s start to the just concluded 2021/22 NPFL Season was not without some challenges. The Peace boys grew into the league and finished second to pick one of the CAF Champions league tickets.
