Gombe United Fc lost by a lone goal against Akwa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day three fixture despite putting an impressive performance.
The Savannah Scorpions dictated the pace of the game from the kicked off with Sama’ila Bello and Ibrahim Yahaya punishing Akwa United’s defenders with their skills and pace from the wings.
Ibrahim Yahaya the chief tormentor had four shots on target in the first stanza but was unlucky to find the back of the net- his first effort in the eight minute rattled the bar while the subsequent ones were saved by GK Adewale Adeyinka .
And came a moment in the 33′ when the visitors thought they have broken the jinx as Mohammed Aminu connected Ahmed Jimoh from left who slotted home only for the flag to be raised up for an off side.
The first half could not produced a goal despite pockets of glaring goal scoring chances.
The Savannah Scorpions returned into the second half more rejuvenated as they continue to push for goals. Ibrahim Yahaya got injured in the 52′ as he collided with GK Adewale inside the box and after treatment he was substituted by Yusuf Abdulazeez.
A mild drama ensued when Alege Abdulquadri headed the ball from resultant corner kick only for the referee from Zamfara F.A Abdulsalam Kasim to award penalty kick. After some moment of protest… Ubong Friday converted the spot kick in the 81′.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu (Gombe United) gave his reaction after the match…
” To me the better side lost, my boys played played well as you all watch;they control the game and were unlucky not to came out at least with a point”.
“As you can see my ninety percent of my players are very young and were from the NNL and who are doing well. the league has just started,we’ll keep our fingers crossed”.
On losing key players in mid-season…
” I don’t depend on certain players, even if the whole first eleven leave, the rest will take over. That’s my philosophy”.
On the next line of action…
“We’re going back home and get ready for Lobi Stars. It’s another tough fixture but i believe in my boys; the confidence is there, the spirit is there,we will battle ready”.
Gombe United welcomes Lobi Stars Fc of Makurdi on Sunday 02/1/01/22 in the week four fixture at the Pantami stadium.
Gombe United’s squad
Itodo Akor(GK), Sani Shehu,Sadiq Shuaibu(C),Rahman Olarewaju,Alege Abdulquadri,Kelechi Chimezie,Mohammed Aminu,Samuel Oyedeji,Sama’ila Bello(Sani Suleiman 87′)Ahmed Jimoh ,Ibrahim Yahaya(Yusuf Abdulazeez 56′).
