CAF: Plateau United motivated to qualify — Sports commissioner

The Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dung Dalyop, on Wednesday said Plateau United is highly motivated to qualify and succeed in the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Plateau United, in the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup playoff first-leg match, were bright in thrashing Al Akhdar Sports Club of Libya 4-1 in Abuja.

Dalyop told newsmen after the match that everything has been put in place to ensure the successful outing of the team in the competition.

“Well, I can tell you for a fact that the boys have been motivated to succeed in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“For instance, if you know what Plateau United used to be in the past and you begin to juxtapose that with what Plateau United is now, you will have a better understand of what I am saying.

“The team is highly motivated indeed. Of course, motivation is a subjective term we don’t want to go into.

“But then in monetary terms and giving the players their dues, Plateau United players and the management as well as our fans are highly motivated,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the club management as well as the state government were very much aware of the antics of the North Africans ahead of the second leg.

He said all hands are on deck to ensure that the team qualifies for the group stage of the competition against all odds.

“It’s always a sad commentary when you talk about football in Africa – When you see how football has not developed beyond what we want it to be.

“But then, we are not going to lose hope. We are optimistic that someday, somehow African football will go beyond what it is today.

“Having said that, we are not worried about the antics of our North African brothers.

“We are still on track. We have a winning formula and we intend to stick to it,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Plateau United will travel to Libya for the second leg next week.

Winners of the two-leg tie will qualify for the group stage of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup.