Heartland FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has described Plateau United as the ‘best team’ in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season, adding that the Jos-based outfit deserves the title if the current campaign is declared inconclusive.
Abdu Maikaba’s Plateau United sit pretty on top of the NPFL standings with 49 points from 25 matches (four points ahead of second-placed Rivers United) before the season was suspended indefinitely a month ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is still not clear how the 2019/20 NPFL season will end, but Ilechukwu says whatever decision the League Management Company (LMC) makes including ending the season early and handing Plateau United the title, the decision will be acceptable to him because of their brilliance so far this season.
“From the beginning of the season to where it is now, home and away, they (Plateau United) are the best team,” the former MFM FC head coach stated.
“Though some teams like Enyimba have (five) outstanding (games). I know that with their outstanding games, nobody knows what is going to happen.
“If at the end of the day, playing behind closed-doors is the LMC’s decision, we would play behind closed-doors. There’s no problem. But if they decide they don’t want to play behind closed-door, that they want to give Plateau (the title), it is a welcome development.
“Let’s just say the truth the way things are. I can still say it tomorrow, Plateau United for me now, are the best team in Nigeria. They are the best team in Nigeria, from first game, home and away, good at home, and good on the road. That is the truth,” he declared.
Their results also suggest that The Peace Boys are the best team this season after 25 Match Days (though Enyimba with 5 games in hand have a chance of usurping them at the top). The 2017 champions have won 14, drawn 7 and lost only 4 of their 25 matches this season. They also have the best away record this term with 14 points on the road.
Earlier this month, head coach Maikaba said it will be ‘fair’ to award the league crown to his side Platea United should the league end abruptly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Uncertainty still surrounds the conclusion of the season, with the current campaign slated to end ‘within 6-8 weeks of the re-opening of the country’.
