By DUNG CHUNG
Mangu Local Government Area were crowned champions of the 2026 Plateau State Under-13 Governor’s Cup after a commanding 2-0 victory over defending champions Jos South in the final played at the New Jos Stadium.
The victory confirmed Mangu’s dominance at the grassroots level as they capped a remarkable campaign with a well-deserved triumph in the tournament, which featured 16 local government areas and kicked off on June 6.
Jos South entered the final as favourites, having navigated their way through the competition with impressive performances and carrying the hopes of their large fan base. The 2024 champions were determined to retain their title, but Mangu had other plans.
From the opening whistle, Mangu displayed organisation, discipline and composure. Solid at the back, creative in midfield and dangerous in attack, they executed their game plan effectively against a highly-rated Jos South side.
The first half ended goalless, although both teams created opportunities to break the deadlock. Jos South threatened on several occasions, but Mangu’s defence remained resolute, while their goalkeeper produced important saves to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough arrived early in the second half when Mangu produced a well-worked move that sliced through the Jos South defence before a composed finish gave them a 1-0 lead.
The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Mangu’s favour. Growing in confidence, they began to dictate proceedings, while Jos South pushed forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back.
Mangu took full advantage of the spaces and doubled their lead through a swift counter-attack that caught the defending champions off guard, making it 2-0.
With time running out, Jos South threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to get back into the contest. However, Mangu’s disciplined backline and dependable goalkeeper stood firm to preserve their two-goal advantage.
As the final whistle sounded, jubilant scenes erupted among the Mangu players, coaches and supporters. The young footballers celebrated wildly as they secured a historic title for their local government area.
Despite the defeat, Jos South can take pride in another impressive campaign. Reaching the final and finishing runners-up in a competition involving 16 local government areas underlines the strength of their grassroots football development programme.
Reacting to the outcome, the Senior Special Adviser on Youth and Sports Development, Langtang South Local Government Council, Debless Dul, congratulated Jos South for their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
He described their runners-up finish as commendable and praised the team for displaying talent, hard work and sportsmanship during the competition.
“Throughout the competition, my sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for organising and supporting this laudable initiative. We pray that he extends the gesture to enable the discovery of more emerging talents at the grassroots level,” Dul said.
He noted that the Under-13 Governor’s Cup has provided a valuable platform for identifying, nurturing and developing young football talents across Plateau State, while also promoting unity, friendship and sportsmanship among the youth.