Coach Aliyu Zubairu Optimistic Despite Home Draw In The League Opener

Gombe United FC began their 2021/2022 NPFL campaign with a home goalless draw against 3SC of Ibadan at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe on Sunday evening.

The Savannah Scorpions showed their desperation for the maximum points from the blast of the whistle as they fired missiles from all angles. Samuel Oyedeji had the chance to break the deadlock just three minutes into the game when he fired a venomous shot from Sama’ila Bello’s cross only for Goalkeeper Dede to parry the goalbound to safety.

The hosts kept on pushing as they took control of the game with frontman Ibrahim Yahaya, Ahmed Jimoh and Sama’ila Bello the chief tormentor kept the defenders on Gk Dede on their toes with a series of attacks but all their efforts went in vain.

The Savannah Scorpions returned to the second stanza more rejuvenated shelling from all angles in an attempt to break the jinx.

Coach Zubairu made his first substitution with the introduction of Yusuf Abdulazeez in the 54′, making another double in the 71′ as Bature Sani replaced Ibrahim Yahaya; Sani Suleiman for Sama’ila Bello before giving Bello Ibrahim his debut in the 78′ when he changed Ahmed Jimoh.

Referee Masu Ndidi from Enugu signalled the end of the match after an additional three minutes. The visitors ended the game with ten following the red issued to Henry Ndede in the 85′ for two bookable offences.

Gombe United will be guests to Nasarawa United in the week two fixture scheduled for Sunday 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s Post Match Reaction: “First matches are always very very difficult; very very tough as played out, my boys played with maturity we are just lucky”.

“Every match came with its peculiarity, this one has gone, the only thing is that we will face the next match as it comes. Our calmness at the final touch we’re going to work on that”.

“Anxiety consumed us at the larger part of the game, anytime we come to the final touch we always consumed by anxiety, we’re going to work on that.

Gombe United made 16 goal attempts (10 on target) as against the visitors’ 2 (0); registered 13 corner kicks with goalkeeper Dede making 10 saves.

3SC conceded 5 yellow cards and 1 red.

Gombe United Squad:

Itodo Akor – 18, Sani Shehu – 17 ,Usman Abbas – 26 ,Rahman Olarewaju – 24 ,Alege Abdulquadr – 4 ,Kelechi Chimezie – 31, Samuel Oyedeji ,Muhammad Hussaini – 7(Yusuf Abdulazeez 54′),Sama’ila Bello -29( Sani Suleiman 71′), Ahmed Jimoh – 27(Bello Ibrahim 78′) ,Ibrahim Yahaya – 20 (Bature Sani 71′)

Unused Substitution:

Kazeem Yekini – 1 ,Alhassan Yusuf – 16 ,Ahmed Family – 5, Innocent Christian – 22 ,Mohammed Amin – 37