Plateau United head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has admitted that his side is still a work in progress despite securing their first victory of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The Jos-based club defeated Kwara United 1-0 in their Matchday 2 encounter, with Alex Aghahowa scoring the decisive goal to give Ogunbote’s team three important points.
The victory was a welcome response after Plateau United began their campaign with defeat, but Ogunbote believes there is still plenty of work to be done, particularly with the integration of several new players.
Speaking after the win over Kwara United, Ogunbote said the team played under pressure but was pleased to see the players secure the result.
The experienced coach stressed that the squad needs more time to develop an understanding on the pitch.
“The team is still a work in progress with the new recruits,” Ogunbote said, explaining that greater understanding between the players would come gradually as they play more matches.
His comments suggest that the result was more important than the performance at this stage of the campaign.
For Plateau United, getting points on the board while the squad continues to settle could prove valuable as the season progresses.
Plateau United’s victory over Kwara United was decided by Aghahowa, who found the breakthrough to hand his side a narrow 1-0 victory.
The result also gave the club a clean sheet and their first three points of the new NPFL campaign. Plateau United’s official social media channels confirmed the final score and identified Aghahowa as the goalscorer.
It was exactly the type of result Ogunbote would have wanted from a team still trying to establish its identity.
Ogunbote’s comments underline the challenge of rebuilding a team while competing for points.
With new recruits coming into the squad, the coach is still working on combinations, movement and overall understanding among his players.
That process cannot always be completed during pre-season, meaning competitive matches will also serve as an opportunity for the squad to develop its chemistry.
The Plateau United boss therefore appears keen to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on his players after just two league matches.
Despite the concerns over the team’s development, the win over Kwara United provides Plateau United with an important early boost.
A first victory can relieve some of the pressure that follows a poor opening result and give players greater confidence ahead of their next fixtures.
The NPFL’s official Matchday 2 report listed Plateau United among the clubs that recorded narrow victories, alongside Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United.
However, Ogunbote’s message is clear: the result is only one part of the bigger picture.
The team still needs time to improve its understanding and consistency.
Plateau United’s next NPFL assignment will come away from home against Niger Tornadoes on 13 September 2026.
The fixture presents another opportunity for Ogunbote’s side to build momentum while continuing the process of integrating the new players into his system.
A positive result in Minna would give Plateau United back-to-back victories and further strengthen their start to the campaign.
For now, though, Ogunbote is asking for patience, the 1-0 win over Kwara United has provided the points, but the Plateau United coach knows his side will need more time before the new-look team fully comes together.
