Akila Jesse’s brace and Super Eagles invitee defender header were all Plateau United required to secure the maximum point with victory over neighbours Wikki Tourists at the new Zaria Road Stadium in Jos to keep pressure on Rivers United.
Wikki initially proved a hard nut to crack with an attacking exhibition that curtail Plateau adventures upfront causing a bit of uneasiness in the Plateau defence.
In spite of Wikki’s resistance, a defensive blunder committed in the box following Haggai Katoh’s cross saw Akila Jesse chasing a free ball and eventually latched on it to slot in Plateau’s first goal in the 14th minute.
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Wikki succeeded in cancelling Plateau’s lead three minutes from resumption as Ridwan Adeshina capitalised on Ikefe’s faulty defensive blunder to send a long shot from 40 yards that left Akande Abiodun stranded for the equaliser.
Spontaneously, Plateau responded to restore the lead through Buhari Ibrahim who came from the defence to nod into the net for the Highlanders’ second goal of the day.
With desperation to increase the tally, Jesse Akila got his brace in a similar fashion from another defensive blunder from Wikki’s defence to score the third goal for the hosts in the 66th minute.
With the victory, Plateau still trail Rivers with four points on the log after 28 games.
