Plateau United in Turmoil as Veteran Trio Exit in Govt-Led Overhaul

Plateau United have parted ways with long‑serving stars Daniel Itodo, Jimmy Ambrose and Charles Henlong amid a sweeping restructuring sparked by the recent appointment of a new management team by the state government. Collectively credited with over 537 appearances for the Peace Boys, Itodo and Ambrose notably lifted the NPFL title in 2017.

As the club seeks a fresh direction under newly appointed coach Shola Adegun, the departures underscore a broader strategy of renewal. Plateau United finished the 2024‑25 season in seventh place, but sit perilously close to the relegation zone early in the current campaign, prompting urgent action from state authorities.

General Manager Habila Hosea Mutla insists the move is part of a deliberate rebuild: “Life is all about challenges… for us at Plateau United, I know we’ll come good in the end”. The club has issued coach Mbwas Mangut with a three-match ultimatum to deliver results following a string of poor performances and sub‑par league position, which stands at 15th with just one win in five matches.

To reinforce the squad, Plateau United signed new faces including Nwadioha Anthony and Emmanuel Ihezuo from City FC, as well as Sunday Oche Odeh from Abia Warriors during the mid‑season window. These moves reflect the club’s intention to blend fresh talent with renewed ambition, under the scrutiny of newly empowered state governance over club affairs.

Editorial

We find ourselves observing a football club at a crossroads, where tradition clashes with transformation. Plateau United’s decision to release three of its most enduring players Itodo, Ambrose and Henlong signals a deliberate break from past comfort in favour of forward momentum. We believe this is a defining moment for the club and its stakeholders.

We accept that progress sometimes demands painful change. Letting go of decorated veterans may unsettle supporters, yet it may also catalyse much‑needed revitalisation. The appointment of coach Shola Adegun and the introduction of younger signings indicate determination to rebuild strategically, not just reactively.

We are convinced that urgent clarity is required at the helm. Coach Mbwas Mangut’s three‑game ultimatum underscores the stakes. A swift response ideally by delivering results against Niger Tornadoes, El‑Kanemi Warriors and Ikorodu City could restore belief. Conversely, a failure to deliver may see further upheaval.

We assert that the integration of new signings such as Nwadioha Anthony, Odeh and Ihezuo must strike a balance between potential and stability. These players should not merely fill gaps, but should embolden Plateau United’s identity and dreams of continental qualification. Government‑led reforms should empower, not override, footballing logic.

We hold that Plateau United’s trajectory over the coming weeks will define the credibility of the overhaul. If managed with purpose, this era could prove transformative. If not, it risks becoming an exercise in disorder.

Did You Know?

1. Plateau United were champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League for the first time in 2017, with Jimmy Ambrose and Daniel Itodo as key contributors.
2. The club was originally founded in 1975 as JIB Strikers FC and only adopted the name Plateau United in the early 1990s.
3. In April 2025, Plateau United reportedly sacked 11 players for reasons including age, indiscipline and low productivity in order to fortify their squad for continental competition.
4. Plateau United’s New Jos Stadium has previously faced safety concerns, with reports describing structural issues dating back decades despite still hosting major fixtures.
5. Sporting Lagos coach Shola Adegun, appointed recently by Plateau United, had departed Sporting Lagos as head coach in June 2025—joining the Peace Boys shortly thereafter.