Plateau United head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has blamed a poor playing surface and costly lapses in concentration for his side’s narrow defeat to Rivers United in Port Harcourt.

The Jos-based club fell to a 1-0 loss at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday, a result that lifted Rivers United back to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table, while Plateau United remain in mid-table and continue their push to avoid relegation, Footballrover reports

Plateau United boss blames pitch conditions for their loss

Ogunbote pointed to the condition of the pitch as a major factor, explaining that it affected both teams but ultimately favored the hosts who are more familiar with it.

“I think the pitch affected both sides, but they are more used to it. The game was more physical than technical, and unfortunately, we lost due to a moment of carelessness.

That was practically the only real chance in the game. The boys didn’t do badly, but it just wasn’t our day,” Ogunbote said.

The Plateau United boss stressed that the nature of the surface made it difficult for his players to settle into their usual style, turning the contest into a battle rather than a technical display.

Plateau struggle on poor pitch as Ogunbote calls for NPFL action

Ogunbote also admitted that some of his players found it difficult to cope with the challenging conditions, especially on a heavy pitch affected by rain.

“I understand my players and know when they perform best. Some of them can be a bit soft in games like this, especially on a poor pitch. A lot of factors worked against us.”

He went further to call on the Nigeria Premier Football League authorities to improve standards across match venues.

“The pitch was not good enough, especially after the rain. This is something that needs to be addressed because it doesn’t present the league in a good light,” he continued.

Despite the setback, Ogunbote noted that the Peace Boys improved after the break, managing the ball better as the game progressed.

However, a difficult first half handed the advantage to the home side, and the damage proved decisive.

Looking ahead, Plateau will shift focus to their next fixture against Kun Khalifat FC, with the coach underlining the importance of their remaining games.

Ogunbote said that they had four games left—two at home and two away—and that each of them was crucial.

He added that their focus was to return to winning ways at home and secure enough points to improve their position on the table, stressing that they would give their best to achieve that.

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Last Updated on April 14, 2026 6:51 pm by footballrover