Gombe SWAN, fans laud Gombe United on their return to NPFL
Return
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Jan. 9, 2019 (NAN) The Gombe State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Wednesday lauded the efforts of Gombe United Football Club in returning to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The State SWAN Chairman, Halilu Teli, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that the Savannah Scorpions deserved the promotion ticket because of their perseverance and dedication last season.
Teli lauded the club management headed by Ahmed Usman for delivering on the mandate given to it by the state government, adding that the task was not easy to accomplish.
“I congratulate Gombe United for their courage in securing a comeback to the NPFL. It is well deserved, considering all the efforts by the state government and the technical crew.
“It was a collective fight and we are happy that the result has yielded the expected outcome, following the target given to the team management.
“The glory of this commendation for a return to the 2018/2019 NPFL season must be shared by the technical crew, the players, the fans and all stakeholders for all their prayers and support,’’ he said.
The Gombe State SWAN chairman also commended Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo for his efforts in ensuring that financial support was provided in time.
“One significant expression of this support was in the fact that the club was the first to arrive in Aba for the Super 8 competition,’’ he said.
Teli however appealed to the state government to provide the needed support in finance and logistics to prepare the team for the competition proper.
He added that such a gesture would go a long way in helping the club play in the NPFL with confidence.
Numerous fans of the club have also expressed their excitement at the club’s promotion to the NPFL for the 2018/2019 season.
In separate interviews with NAN in Gombe, the club’s fans said it was a thing of joy for them to have their team back in the top flight.
Abdullahi Garbo, a trader at the Kofar Sarkin Market, said he was excited about Gombe United’s success in Aba, noting that the promotion would shift football attention to Gombe State.
“I learnt of their promotion after interacting with a friend this afternoon and I am excited they made it. This will bring the needed change and football attention to the state.
“I anticipated this promotion with the kind of training the new coach gave the boys and the morale of the club which he boosted through hard work.
“I commend the club, Chief Coach Ladan Bosso, the players and all members of the team. They will get a heroic welcome. We are waiting to receive our heroes,’’ he said.
Nafada Mohammed, a resident of Pantami, said he had been praying for the club to secure promotion and it worked out.
“It is the God of football that made it possible for the club.
“Fans of Gombe United FC will now have the privilege of seeing big players, some of who play for the home-based Super Eagles, without travelling far,’’ he said.
Mohammed said the club’s promotion would increase economic activities in the state, especially when other teams come for matches.
He however praised the players’ resilience, as well as the club management and team coach Ladan Bosso, whom he described as a “coach with result-oriented mind-set’’.
Garba Sabo, a football enthusiast, also said the club’s promotion was the best news of the day for him.
He added however that there was more work to be done by the club if it was to withstand the heat of surviving in the NPFL.
“The state government should put all arrangements in place for a successful season.
“With quality players in the club, other clubs would have a tough opponent in Gombe United FC,’’ Sabo said.
NAN reports that Gombe United FC had on Wednesday gained promotion to the NPFL after securing one of the four available tickets at the 2017/2018 NNL Super 8 tournament in Aba.
They secured five points from three matches played, after securing a 1-0 win against Real Stars, a 1-1 draw with Kogi United FC and a goalless draw with Kada City F.C.(NAN)
UP/MUYI/OLAL
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)