Plateau United under CAF spotlight over match fixing

By Augustine Akhilomen

Nigeria’s flagbearer in the CAF Confederation Cup, Plateau United could face serious sanction if found guilty of match-fixing by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Plateau defeated USM Alger of Algeria 2-1 in the first leg of the competition, however, reports in a South African tabloid, TimesLive, on Tuesday reported that referee Victor Gomes allegedly was approached to fix the result of the match by Nigerian side Plateau United but rebuffed the advances.

“Gomes and his assistants Johannes Moshidi, Athenkosi Ndongeni and Thando Ndzandzeka‚ who acted as the fourth official were allegedly approached before the game on Saturday with an offer of US $30‚000  to fix the result‚ but immediately turned down the approach and reported the matter to CAF,” according to TimesLive.

But the Media Officer of Plateau United, Albert Dakup, dismissed the report as a distraction aimed at tarnishing the image of the club.

“We are surprised at the development. It is a distraction and you can rule out the handiwork of some disgruntled elements who are bent on destroying the club.”