Plateau United manager Gbenga Ogunbote said his side suffered “a bad day” after Sporting Lagos came from behind to win 3-2 in the EUROMATCH NPFL on Sunday.
The defeat ended Plateau United’s perfect home record this season. The Jos-based side had won each of their four previous home fixtures before Sporting Lagos secured victory in Week 9.
Sporting Lagos took the lead after 10 minutes through Aliyu Baba, but Plateau United responded with two goals from Victor Dawa to go into half-time 2-1 ahead.
Victor Samuel levelled for the visitors in the 53rd minute before Plateau United were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes remaining.
Sporting Lagos made the extra-man advantage count, with Aondona Adeede scoring the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The result lifted Sporting Lagos to third place on 15 points, one position above Plateau United, who have 14 points.
Speaking at his post-match news conference, Ogunbote rejected the suggestion that complacency had contributed to the defeat, but admitted his team lost control after taking the lead.
“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 today but we will take the positives from it to tell us that it’s a lesson for us to brace up.”
Ogunbote praises Sporting Lagos
Ogunbote acknowledged Sporting Lagos’ performance and said the visitors produced their best display.
“Sometimes one game is not enough but they (Sporting Lagos) did very well, they were at their best today,” he added.
The Plateau United manager also described the defeat as an early warning for his squad, insisting it should encourage them to improve rather than undermine their progress.
“This is week nine, unfortunately, nobody wanted to lose the game but we lost,” Ogunbote said.
“Even a draw would have still been termed as a loss to us. But like I did say it’s good it happened early so that it would make every one of us to wake up, to know that we have not gotten there yet.”