Saturday, January 25th, 2010 – Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos
The sun rose reluctantly over Jos, casting a faded glow through the lingering clouds. But by noon, Rwang Pam Stadium was roaring with energy. Vendors screamed for attention, selling roasted corn, suya, and bottles of chilled water. Plateau fans poured in, faces painted, drums echoing against the cement walls. The terraces were filling—vibrant with belief, anxious from defeat.
Inside the home dressing room, Adam Black stood in front of his team.
"Today isn't about revenge," he said, voice steady. "It's about identity. Ours."
The players watched him. Emmy rubbed his wrists. Kelvin adjusted his shin guards. Bashiru, silent as always, leaned forward.
"You know the plan. Control the midfield. Pin their fullbacks. Press the number six. Quick transitions. And most of all—believe."
Danladi chimed in. "You trained for this. Trust the habits. Trust each other."
Samson Mba stood near the door, arms crossed. He said nothing.
A knock. The fourth official's signal.
Matchday.
---
2:59 p.m.
Rwang Pam Stadium. 9,000 fans. Clear skies, light wind.
Referee: Yusuf Kolapo (Kwara State)
Assistants: Shedrack Ibe (Imo), Timi Abolaji (Ondo)
Fourth Official: Musa Jatau (Kaduna)
The Plateau United eleven lined up in a familiar 4-2-3-1. Emmy up top. Bashiru behind. Kelvin and Taye on the wings. Obinna and Samaila anchoring the midfield.
Sunshine Stars looked dangerous on paper—fluid 4-3-3, speed in transition, and their star man, Damilola, wide right.
From the commentary box above the main stand, Chuks Nwosu and Yinka Ajayi provided the call.
"Big afternoon here in Jos," Chuks said as the camera panned the pitch. "Adam Black still searching for his first point as Plateau United coach."
Yinka added, "Sunshine Stars are no joke. That front three? Lightning."
---
Kick-off.
Plateau started sharply. Possession. Short passes. Adam on the touchline, calm.
Then—misstep.
Obinna lost the ball in midfield. A heavy touch. Sunshine's number 6, Ayo Balogun, pounced. Pass. Quick turn. Long diagonal.
Damilola.
He raced down the right, tore past Sunday John, and cut in. A drop of the shoulder, a flash of boots—
GOAL.
Silence.
"Damilola!" Chuks cried. "A solo run out of nowhere! Sunshine take the lead!"
1–0.
Adam folded his arms. He didn't speak. Just stared at the replay on the stadium screen.
---
12 minutes.
Another hit.
Plateau tried to respond with high pressing, but Sunshine Stars played over them. A long ball from their centre-back found their number 9, Ifeanyi Odili, who twisted past Abraham and curled it.
GOAL.
"Two!" Yinka shouted. "Sunshine Stars have carved them open again!"
2–0.
The Plateau bench shifted nervously. Fans groaned.
Adam turned to Danladi. "Too many gaps. Samaila's not covering quick enough."
Samson Mba muttered, "Told you the high line was suicide."
Adam ignored him. Instead, he pointed to the bench. "Warm up Abdullahi."
---
First half dragged on.
Possession returned to Plateau. Emmy had a shot saved. Bashiru's through ball missed Kelvin by a toe.
Then, just before halftime—
A throw-in.
Miscommunication between Obinna and Sunday John. Intercepted. Sunshine Stars broke again.
Damilola to Ayo Balogun.
Through pass.
Ifeanyi again.
GOAL.
3–0.
The home fans were stunned. A child began to cry. Someone flung a bottle at the advertising board.
Samson Mba chuckled. "Another masterpiece."
Adam didn't flinch.
---
Halftime – Sunshine Stars 3, Plateau United 0
In the dressing room, steam from water bottles mixed with anger. Some players sat with heads in hands. Others stared at the floor.
Adam stood in the center.
He didn't yell.
"You've got forty-five minutes to show what kind of men you are," he said. "You want to hide? Or you want to rise?"
No one answered.
"You've got your orders. Abdullahi on for Samaila. Obinna push higher. Kelvin—hug the touchline. Emmy, drop into pockets."
He paused.
"Make them believe in us again."
---
Second Half Begins.
Substitution: Abdullahi on, providing steel and quick feet in midfield.
Plateau pressed.
Higher.
Smarter.
Faster.
They moved the ball quicker, stretched the wings. Kelvin burned his marker twice. Emmy drifted, dragged defenders. The crowd sensed something changing.
58 minutes.
Abdullahi slid in. Won the ball clean. Passed to Bashiru.
Bashiru—outside of the boot—threaded it behind the defence.
Emmy.
One touch.
Strike.
GOAL.
"Finally!" shouted Chuks. "Emmanuel Tega gives Plateau United a lifeline!"
3–1.
Adam clenched a fist. No celebration. Just focus.
---
66 minutes.
Kelvin again.
He darted inside, skipped a challenge, and was brought down just outside the box.
Free kick.
Bashiru placed the ball.
Silence.
Three steps.
Curled.
GOAL.
Top corner.
The stadium erupted.
"3–2!" Yinka roared. "Bashiru bends it like a prayer! Plateau are alive!"
Fans jumped. Drums beat louder. Flags waved.
Samson Mba was suddenly silent.
---
Final ten minutes.
Sunshine Stars retreated. Plateau pushed.
Adam made another change—Taye off, Musa Lawal on. Fresh legs.
Bashiru now roamed. Abdullahi swept. Emmy ghosted.
88 minutes.
Corner.
Bashiru took it.
Ball floated to the back post.
Abraham rose—header—cleared off the line!
Kelvin recovered, crossed again—
Emmy chested it down—shot blocked—
Ball fell to Musa Lawal—
Strike.
GOAL.
The roof came off Rwang Pam.
"Three-three!" screamed Chuks. "Can you believe this?! Plateau United have clawed back from the grave!"
Adam stood still.
Only his eyes moved. Toward the sky. Then to the bench.
Samson wasn't smiling now.
---
Full-Time: Plateau United 3 – 3 Sunshine Stars
As the whistle blew, the players collapsed to the turf. Some raised arms. Others just breathed.
Adam walked onto the pitch. No speeches. Just handshakes. A pat on Emmy's shoulder. A word in Bashiru's ear.
In the stands, the fans sang.
No boos today.
Only belief.
---
Post-match Press Conference
Adam sat in front of the mics.
"Coach Adam—what changed at halftime?"
He leaned forward. "We remembered who we were."
"Do you feel like this is a turning point?"
"It's a start. Nothing more. But starts matter."
---
That Night – Adam's Flat
Rain returned to Jos. Soft. Gentle.
Adam sat at his desk. Laptop open. Tactical board beside it.
On the wall, the words still hung:
Create. Don't Copy.
MAKE THEM DREAM.
And below that, he added something new:
Today, we believed. Tomorrow we lead.