Saturday, January 31st, 2010 – 6:05 a.m.
The old Peugeot 504 revved outside the club lodge, its faded sky-blue paint a silent witness to years of Plateau United's struggles. Adam Black sat on the concrete steps, a duffel bag at his feet, clutching a takeaway cup of coffee. He was dressed in a navy-blue Plateau tracksuit, zipped up to the neck, and his white-bearded face held a quiet seriousness.
One by one, players emerged from the lodge, yawning, joking, dragging wheeled suitcases. The Harmattan air was dry and chalky, dusting everything in a soft beige hue. The plan was to make the six-hour road journey to Aba, Enyimba's fortress, through rugged roads and endless stretches of villages, forests, and checkpoints.
"Coach! You sure this bus go reach Aba?" joked Bello, eyeing the rickety white coaster bus the team used for long trips.
"If it doesn't, we push it together," Adam replied, sipping his coffee.
By 6:30 a.m., the team was on the road. Samson Mba sat near the front, chewing groundnuts and flipping through notes. Danladi dozed off, while behind, the players passed time with loud Afrobeats, card games, and debates about Premier League teams.
Kelvin, the quiet midfielder, sat by the window, headphones on, eyes out the window. Goke and Sikiru argued over music.
The bus trundled through Akwanga, then Otukpo. At a roadside junction near Makurdi, they stopped to stretch and buy fried plantain and water. An old woman greeted them, recognizing the badge.
"Plateau United! Una dey go play Enyimba? Win o! Those Aba boys sabi ball."
Adam nodded, smiling politely.
Aba – 1:45 p.m.
The Enyimba Stadium sat like a proud lion in the heart of the city. Its concrete stands were cracking at the edges, but inside it was alive — buzzing with energy. Vendors outside sold puff-puff, meat pies, and bootleg club jerseys. Banners fluttered: "Enyimba! People's Elephant!"
The Plateau team arrived dusty and cramped. Adam stepped off first, stretching his back.
A few jeers greeted them from Enyimba fans. One man yelled, "Na who be this oyinbo coach? Plateau don tire!"
Adam smirked and led the team inside.
Enyimba Stadium – 3:30 p.m.
The dressing room was small, tiled, and dim. The players changed in near-silence, boots scraping the floor, tape being wrapped around ankles, shirts pulled tight.
Adam walked to the center, holding a small notebook.
"Listen up. Enyimba press high. Their fans will try to shake you. Let them talk. We play our game. Calm. Composed. If we stay focused, we win. Discipline will beat noise today."
He scribbled on the whiteboard.
Formation: 4-1-4-1.
Abdullahi anchoring.
Bello and Kazeem as the engine.
Sikiru and Goke providing width.
Kelvin deeper, to link.
"Kelvin," Adam said, looking straight at him. "You'll take penalties if we win one. Be ready."
Kelvin nodded once.
Outside the Stadium – 3:45 p.m.
The crowd poured in, wearing blue and white, waving flags, singing war chants. The Aba boys had come out in full. Children scrambled up scaffolds. Traders shouted. It was electric.
In the press box, seasoned commentator Kolapo Aluko tapped his mic.
"Good afternoon, Nigeria! We are live in Aba. Enyimba hosting Plateau United. The People's Elephant against the Northern Grit. One side with history, the other with a young, foreign-minded coach trying to shake things up."
Beside him, co-commentator Joe Agbo chuckled.
"Adam Black… he's got people talking. His team fought back last week. But Enyimba in Aba is a different beast. Watch out for their winger, Mbaoma. And Plateau's young Goke? He's still raw, but promising."
Kickoff – 4:00 p.m.
The whistle blew.
From the start, Enyimba came hard. Their number ten, Uche, dribbled past Kazeem early, whipping a cross that narrowly missed the striker's head. The crowd roared.
Adam stood at the edge of his technical area, arms folded.
"Hold the shape!" he barked.
Plateau United slowly grew into the game. Musa clipped a smart ball to Sikiru, who danced past his marker and fired wide.
Kelvin dropped deep, making himself available, threading passes. Abdullahi tackled hard, breaking play.
The game heated up. Enyimba's captain shoved Bello after a clumsy tackle. The referee calmed it.
20 minutes in.
Free-kick to Plateau. Efe floated it in — Bello met it with a flick, but it sailed over. Adam clapped. "Better. Keep pushing."
30 minutes.
Enyimba got a golden chance — Uche curled one from the edge of the box. Plateau keeper Victor leapt and punched it wide. The stadium gasped.
"Massive save!" yelled Kolapo Aluko. "Victor keeps Plateau alive."
35th minute.
Breakaway. Sikiru burst down the left, cut in, laid it off to Kelvin… a touch… shot blocked. Handball?
Plateau players surrounded the ref.
Whistle.
Penalty.
The noise became thunder.
Kelvin stood over the ball. The stadium vibrated with boos.
He closed his eyes, exhaled.
Then struck.
GOAL!
Bottom corner. Keeper dived wrong.
Enyimba 0 – 1 Plateau United.
Adam raised a fist. No wild celebrations. Just focus.
Kelvin jogged back, face calm.
End of First Half.
The whistle blew. Plateau led.
Inside the tunnel, jeers rained down. Bottles thrown.
Adam turned to his players. "Stay cold. They'll come with everything. Let them."
To be continued in Chapter 14...