By Ijeoma Okigbo
Abuja – Alloy Chukwuemeka, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association, has advised season 2016/2017 league winners Plateau United to keep the core players of their team.
Chukwuemeka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that this was necessary if the club were going to creditably represent Nigeria on the continent next season.
The Jos-based football club had on Saturday emerged champions of the 2016/2017 season after gathering 66 points from 38 matches.
Plateau United, who were winning the competition for the first time ever, will represent Nigeria alongside runners-up MFM FC of Lagos in the 2018 CAF Champions League.
Chukwuemeka said Plateau United’s strength in the just-concluded season was from the fact that it had maintained same crop of players since their promotion to the NPFL.
“For Plateau United to have started well and early enough this season and then consolidate up to the last game shows that they had prepared well.
“Fifty percent of their players are those who helped them gain promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Premier League (NPFL).
“This same set of players helped to sustain their stay in the top flight,’’ he said.
Chukwuemeka said consistency in the team’s management was also needed, as well as support from government and fans, for the club to get through in the continental competition.
He then urged other clubs to allow their counterparts playing on the continent have access to good players they need to fortify their squad.(NAN)
