Another Plateau United comeback has shown just how difficult this team is becoming to put away. The problem is that they are also making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves.
The Peace Boys came from two goals down to draw 2-2 away at Doma United on 23 September. Gideon Monday reduced the deficit, Paul Samson equalised and Plateau left Pantami Stadium with a point. It was another show of resilience, but it was not a clean sign of progress.
The trip to Gombe tested whether the Shooting Stars comeback represented real improvement. The response is encouraging, while the start remains a concern.
What Happened Against Doma United?
Doma United took control of the scoreline before Plateau could settle. Michael Adegbite gave the hosts the lead late in the first half before scoring again shortly after the restart.
That second goal left Plateau 2-0 down and with plenty of work to do.
Photo: Plateau United FC | Graphic: NAS-P Football
Plateau’s response began in the 58th minute. Gideon Monday scored, with the club report crediting Paul Samson with the assist. Samson then completed the comeback in the 77th minute, assisted by Monday. The two players had effectively reversed the direction of the match within 19 minutes.
Plateau also made changes as they looked for a response. Magbisa and Jibril Ibrahim were introduced, while Nenrot Silas also came on later.
With no reliable public possession or shot data available, the clearest story is in the sequence itself: Plateau conceded twice, changed personnel and found two second-half goals.
What the Plateau United Comeback Tells Us
A team can lose control of a match without losing its nerve. Plateau United showed that distinction in Gombe.
Monday’s goal gave Plateau a route back into the game, and Samson’s equaliser completed a comeback that looked unlikely when Doma went 2-0 ahead. Monday finished with a goal and an assist, while Samson also contributed a goal and an assist.
That matters for a team still learning how to play with several new players. Ogunbote described the squad as a “work in progress” and said the understanding between the newcomers had not fully developed. He also viewed the draw as two points lost because of the manner in which Plateau conceded.
Those comments capture the match.
Plateau deserve credit for refusing to collapse, but they should not confuse recovery with control. Monday, who also scored against Shooting Stars, has now played an important role in consecutive matches.
But Falling Behind Is Still the Problem
The positive story is that Plateau United recovered from 2-0 down. The uncomfortable story is that they needed to recover from 2-0 down.
Ogunbote’s own description was revealing. He said Plateau were “very careless” in conceding the goals. That is not simply a complaint about bad luck. It points to moments when the team failed to manage danger properly.
There is not enough verified evidence to attach each goal to a particular defender, so there is little value in forcing individual blame.
The broader problem is clearer.
Plateau allowed Doma to establish a two-goal advantage before their own response arrived. Comebacks require more running, more risk and usually less margin for error. Against stronger opponents, a two-goal deficit may leave too little time for recovery.
Photo: Plateau United FC | Graphic: NAS-P Football
The defensive approach may still need time. Ogunbote has spoken about the chemistry between his players still developing, which is understandable for a changing squad.
It cannot become a permanent excuse.
What the Recent Results Are Telling Us
The early results are beginning to give more context to the expectations around Plateau United entering the 2026/27 NPFL season.
Plateau United’s first five NPFL results are:
- Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United — Loss
- Plateau United 1-0 Kwara United — Win
- Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Plateau United — Draw
- Plateau United 3-1 Shooting Stars — Win
- Doma United 2-2 Plateau United — Draw
Photo: Plateau United FC | Graphic: NAS-P Football
That leaves Plateau unbeaten in four matches since their opening-day defeat to Rivers United: two wins and two draws.
Overall, they have scored seven goals, conceded six and collected eight points.
The sequence supports improvement, but not a declaration that Plateau have completely turned the season around.
They have shown they can respond when matches go against them, while conceding first in each of their last two games. That is enough to identify a concern. It is not enough to declare it a season-long pattern.
Progress, But Still Work to Do
The 2-2 draw strengthens the argument that Plateau United are more competitive than their opening defeat suggested.
They have found ways to stay in matches, and Monday and Samson are producing important attacking moments.
It also explains why our previous NAS-P analysis stopped short of calling the Shooting Stars win a turnaround.
That comeback showed progress, but Plateau still needed to prove that improvement could be sustained. The Doma result passes one part of that test: the response travelled away from Jos.
It does not pass the more demanding test of starting well and controlling the game.
Plateau do not need to become perfect overnight. They need to reduce the number of matches in which their best football appears only after falling behind.
Better communication, more secure defending and stronger chemistry among the new players are the immediate priorities.
What Comes Next?
Plateau United’s next NPFL fixture is against Inter Lagos on Sunday, 27 September at New Jos Stadium.
That match presents a different challenge.
After responding well away from home, Plateau need to show they can impose themselves earlier, especially in front of their supporters.
Plateau United are showing fight. That part is no longer difficult to see.
The next step is making sure that fight is not always required because they have handed the opponent a head start.
Until that changes, every comeback will offer both encouraging evidence of progress and a reminder of the work still waiting to be done.