The Executive Chairman of Plateau United, Alhassan Yakmut, has confirmed that his club carries the direct mandate of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to clinch the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title and return the Tin City club to continental football.

Yakmut, a former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), made the remarks following the league board's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ibadan, stating that the club had already begun preparations to fulfil that mandate.

A governor's charge

"We have the mandate of His Excellency, the Governor of Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, to take Plateau United to the continental stage," Yakmut said.

He added that the AGM had provided valuable clarity on the direction of the 2026/2027 season, and that a review of the recently concluded 2025/2026 campaign had highlighted the areas the club must strengthen ahead of their title push.

"The review of the 2025/2026 season gave us a clue as to what to emphasise in our preparation towards Plateau United winning the league and then going to represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League," he said.

Ogunbote stays on for the challenge

Technical Adviser Chief Gbenga Ogunbote has signed a contract extension with the club and is already at work building a squad capable of delivering the domestic title and earning a CAF Champions League berth for the 2027/2028 season.

"Chief Gbenga Ogunbote has already signed his contract extension with us, and he is already preparing towards selecting the best legs that will redeem us from the embarrassment of not getting the continental ticket," Yakmut said.

A long wait for continental football

Plateau United last featured in CAF inter-club competition during the 2022/2023 season, when Esperance de Tunis eliminated them in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The club subsequently dropped into the CAF Confederation Cup but suffered a further exit at the hands of Libyan side Al-Akhdar SC.

With the governor's backing, a retained coach, and fresh resolve, Plateau United are setting their sights firmly on ending that continental absence.