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Sport

Gombe United unveils ex-Wikki Tourists’ Zubairu as its new technical adviser

Appointment
By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, Oct. 14, 2019 (NAN) Gombe United Football Club on Monday unveiled Aliyu Zubairu as its new technical adviser, following the expiration of the one-year contract offered to Ladan Bosso.

After signing a two-year contract at a ceremony in Gombe, Zubairu pledged to use his wealth of experience to return Gombe United to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He said coming to Gombe United was however a hard decision to make, adding that he had the choice of managing three other clubs but opted for Gombe United.

“I resigned as the Technical Adviser of Wikki Tourists four days ago. I resigned because of a breach in the contractual agreement. After resigning, I had offers from three clubs.

“But I opted for Gombe because it’s like coming home to me. The structure and composition of the management which has contributed to the development of sports in Nigeria encouraged me to come to Gombe,” Zubairu said.

He stated that the task of managing Gombe United to secure promotion was a collective one, and there was therefore the need for the management to support him in building a strong team.

Zubairu said he would sign a few players who would fit into his philosophy as a coach, saying “we have to put a philosophy on ground so that the fans can enjoy free flowing football while we get the results as well.”

While unveiling Zubairu as the new Technical Adviser, the Board Chairman of Gombe United, Musa Jarmai, said Zubairu has a mandate to secure promotion for Gombe United back to the NPFL next season.

“He is to bring in the right players to return the club to the glory days of good football.”

Jarmai also unveiled Mohammed Anke and Alhaji Kwairanga as the two assistant coaches to provide the needed support for the club and the new Technical Adviser.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zubairu who arrived with Mohammed Mohammed as the Chief Coach of Gombe United had earlier managed Kwara United, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists.

NAN also reports that Gombe United Football Club were on May 26 relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in spite of recording an away win against Go Round FC in Port Harcourt.

With the away win, Gombe United could only finish in ninth position with 30 points and were only edged out by Plateau United on goal difference.(NAN)
UP/GOM/OLAL
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(Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL: Gombe United defeat FC IfeanyiUbah

Victory
By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, May 13, 2019 (NAN) Gombe United Football Club on Monday defeated visiting FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi 1-0 in a 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Group B fixture.

The hosts secured the lone goal in the 13th minute of the Match Day 19 fixture through Adamu Mohammed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the victory Gombe United moved to 24 points from 19 matches, ahead of their next match against Nasarawa United FC on Wednesday.

At the post-match briefing, coach Ladan Bosso of Gombe United FC praised the visiting team for putting up a good performance, adding that they were determined and young.

Bosso however said Gombe United needed the result more than the visiting team.

He said: “We fought better today because we are fighting for survival, while the visiting team are comfortable on the table.

“I was expecting we would go for more goals to close up against Abia Warriors. That was my target. We worked to get the result.”

On their next match, Bosso said Nasarawa United were familiar foes, adding that they would put in place good strategies towards winning the match.

On his part, Uche Okagbue, the coach of FC IfeanyiUbah, said the match was a good one for them and he was happy because his boys played well.

On the officiating, Okagbue said: “The officiating was a bit fair.

But he was quick to point out that it was not in his nature to criticise referees.

Okagbue, however, expressed confidence in his team picking the maximum three points against Heartland FC of Owerri on Wednesday.

On his team’s poor away record, he said: “the second round has been very unfair to us. But we are confident we will finish strong.”

FC IfeanyiUbah have failed to score in their last five away matches in the league prior to their encounter with Gombe United.(NAN)
UP/IKU/AFA/OLAL
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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Felix Ajide

Sport

Gombe United FC beat Doma United to win 2019 Gombe FA Cup

Title
By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, May 2, 2019 (NAN) Gombe United Football Club on Wednesday defeated Doma United FC 2-1 to win the 2019 Gombe State Men’s FA Cup competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe was stopped in the 86th minute.

This was after fans threw dangerous objects into the field and made attempts to enter the field of play.

Doma United took the lead in the 50th minute through Kabiru Mohammed, before Lukman Muhammad scored an own goal to give Gombe United the equaliser.

Substitute Success Samuel got the winner for Gombe United in the 86th minute.

In a post-match briefing, coach Saidu Umar of Doma United who expressed his anger at the outcome of the match said the officiating was poor.

“That is why the supporters reacted the way they did. We are one and so I expected the officiating to have been better.

“I want to advise the state Football Association to look into the challenge of officiating so that the best team can win and represent the state well.”

On his part, Ladan Bosso, the Technical Adviser of Gombe United, said he was impressed with the display from both teams.

He observed that they would be worthy state representatives if properly assisted by the state government.

On the officiating, Bosso said: “The referees are not too exceptional that they can’t make mistakes. So, if there is a mistake, we should be able to understand with them.

“As far as I am concerned, the officiating was fair.”

NAN reports that Doma United FC had won the competition in 2017 and 2018 by beating Yarmalight FC and Gombe United respectively.(NAN)
UP/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL: Gombe United hold Pillars in Kano

League
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
Kano, April 21, 2019 (NAN) Kano Pillars Football Club and Gombe United FC on Sunday drew 1-1 in a Group B week 16 match of the 2018/20179 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).‎

Hosts Kano Pillars showed good resilience from the first to the last blast of the referee’s whistle in the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.‎

The home side however put much more pressure on Gombe United in the first half, resulting in a penalty kick in the 45th ‎minute, which Rabiu Ali brilliantly converted.

Gombe United fought back in the second half, and Adamu Muhammad took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the 48th minute to equalise for the visitors. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kano Pillars fans resorted to booing their team’s coach, Ibrahim Musa, in the second half.

That was after losing hope of their team winning the match.‎

Speaking later, Gombe United’s coach Ladan Bosso said his aim was to help his team pick the maximum points from the match in order to avoid relegation.

Bosso, however, said the match was a difficult one for his team, and praised his players for fighting relentlessly to get the draw.

Kano Pillars now have 24 points from 16 games and will host Plateau United next week.(NAN)
MNT/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

‎

Sport

NPFL: Gombe United defeat Yobe Desert Stars 1-0

Victory
By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, March 31, 2019 (NAN) Gombe United Football Club on Sunday defeated visiting Yobe Desert Stars FC of Damaturu 1-0 in a 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture in Gombe.

The hosts secured the lone goal in the Match Day 13 fixture in the 16th minute through Success Emmanuel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win is Gombe United’s first in their last six games, after they drew three matches and lost two.

In a post-match briefing, voach Ladan Bosso of Gombe United FC said the jinx had been broken.

Bosso added: “After three home matches without a win, today we have got a good result.

“The match was a good one but we didn’t play well compared to the other matches, yet this is the day we got the result. Sometimes you play ugly and win.

“We were determined and that’s why we were able to defend the goal.”

On the officiating, he said: “It was open and fair. If we had got this kind of officiating in Damaturu against the Yobe Stars, we would have won.”

On his part, Taiye Yusuf, the Technical Adviser of Yobe Desert Stars, declined comments when approached by newsmen.

NAN also reports that Gombe United prior to this match had 11 points from 12 matches while Yobe Desert Stars secured 10 points from 12 matches.

Gombe United’s next opponent will be Akwa United of Uyo on April 7.(NAN)
UP/IKU/OLAL
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL: Plateau United draw goalless with Gombe United

Draw
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Feb. 3, 2019 (NAN) Gombe United Football Club on Sunday played out a goalless draw with visiting Plateau United of Jos in a 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 6 fixture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hosts however failed to convert a good number of goalscoring chances in the match played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

The away draw was precious to the visitors, with an excited Plateau United’s coach Audu Pele saying he was satisfied with the match’s result.

“We are satisfied with the one point we got, because we came here for either a win or a draw.

“It was a good match though. My players performed to instructions, and that was the secret of our success today (Sunday),” he said.

Pele also said he was satisfied with the officiating, noting that he had no reason to blame the referee.

He however pointed out that referees were improving game by game and this was good for the game of football in the country.

The coach added that he was optimistic of another good result in their next match, against Nasarawa United of Lafia, saying “the match will not be a problem to my team’’.

NAN also reports that the home side’s fans attempted to enter the field after the match to express their frustration, citing poor officiating by the match referees.

Meanwhile, Gombe United’s coach Ladan Bosso was not available to comment on the match.

He was busy shepherding his players off the pitch and also appealing to the fans to be calm.

The match officials and the away team later had to be escorted out of the stadium by armed policemen.(NAN)
UP/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

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)

Sport

Makinwa, Garba blame fatigue as Gombe United, hosts ABS FC draw 1-1

NAN-S-25

Blame
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, March 29, 2017 (NAN) A spirited 10-man Gombe United Football Club fought back in the second half to force hosts Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Match Day 16 fixture in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex.

The hosts were the better side for some early parts of the encounter but were wasteful in front of goal.

With just four minutes left on the clock before the end of the first stanza, Chigozirim Metu capitalised on the visiting goalkeeper’s error to score for the hosts.

Joseph Onwugu, who thought he had a grip on the ball, allowed the ball to slip away from his gloves for Metu to waste no time in taking advantage.

Austine Oladapo was sent off with just a minute left in injury time of the first half to reduce the visitors to 10 men and give the hosts a seeming advantage.

But Gombe United returned for the second half to show a better understanding of coach Manu Garba’s half-time team talk.

Mannir Ubale equalised for the Savannah Scorpions in the 54th minute when he snatched the ball from home goalkeeper Abdullahi Boje who had attempted to dribble him.

Boje had received a back pass from one of his defenders, but the goalkeeper who is fond of dribbling attackers ran out of luck this time around.

Speaking after the match, coach Henry Makinwa of ABS FC said fatigue and the cumulative effect of what happened in Jos on Sunday affected his boys.

“We don’t like what happened today, and we were afraid of what happened in Jos (where we lost massively to Plateau United).

“It was mental fatigue. We traveled 18 hours to return to Ilorin and we couldn’t train well yesterday because of the long journey.

“But that is football for you. You win some, you lose some. Remember, we are yet to lose at home.

“However, I accept everything today because we drew against a very good team,” Makinwa said.

Also speaking, his Gombe United counterpart, Manu Garba, corroborated the view shared by Makinwa that fatigue affected both sides.

“I give thanks to God for the away point. But we came here to win because we had drawn three games at home.

“However, I must point out that the weekend-midweek routine of matches is affecting us. Fatigue is telling on the players.

“You cannot blame the players at times. We took off from Gombe and made over 15 hours of journey to this place.

“I want to improve the team every time, but with patience we will get there.
“The ABS FC team I saw in the NNL Super Four some months ago played better football than these set of players,” Garba said.

NAN reports that ABS FC’s next match is in Umuahia against Abia Warriors FC on Sunday for their Match Day 17 fixture.(NAN)
OOH/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Najere’s brace lifts Kano Pillars over Gombe United

NAN-S-2‎
Brace
‎Kano, March 20, 2017 (NAN) Musa Najere scored a brace on Sunday as Kano Pillars Football Club defeated visiting Gombe United FC 2-0 in a 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture in Kano.‎ ‎

Najere scored in the 50th and 73rd minutes of the Match Day 14 fixture played at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gombe United had several goal scoring chances in the first half but could not convert them.

The Kano Pillars defence line coordinated by Chinedu Udoji and Emmanuel Anyanwu was resilient, and warded off their attacking onslaughts.

Kano Pillars goalkeeper David Obiozor was less troubled in the match as Gombe United were unable to convert the few chances they got.

Coach Kadiri Ikhana of Pillars later told newsmen that his team played well, describing it as a good performance.

He said his players were up against a good team and praised his players for converting some of the chances which came their way.

Speaking on the team’s next match against Rangers International FC of Enugu, Ikhana said his team would put up a better performance.‎

‎On his part, coach Manu Garba of Gombe United, who said the match was keenly contested, commended his team for their fighting spirit.‎

‎He also rued their missed goal scoring chances during the match.(NAN)
MNT/DOE/OLAL
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi)