Gombe United Shares Spoil With Kwara United In League Season Opener
The Savannah Scorpions on Sunday began their 2023 Nigeria Premier Foodball League (NPFL) season with a goalless draw against Kwara United in their adopted home ground – Lekan Salami stadium, Ibadan,Oyo state .
Gombe United dominated proceedings in the first half with the first goal on target coming from Sama’ila Bello ‘s cross which was denied entry by goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka in the 4′ minute of the match.
And in the 15’ he was again forced to parried out Samuel Ogunjimi’s fierced long range effort with the resultantant corners kick poorly headed by Gimba Ajiji.
Gombe United were unlucky not to register a goal in the first half as they missed pockets of goal chances.
The hosts came back into the second half more rejuvenated as they launched attack and counter attacks but the visitors ‘ defensive line were able to contained threats with goalkeeper Itodo Akor Christian forced to make series of saves to denied the hosts a break through.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu ‘s Post Match Reaction...
The Savannah Scorpions gaffer expressed gratitude to God for the victory and applauded his lads for their resilience in the game.
He said, ” I must commend my boys for their performance. You know every season ‘s league is very difficult, its takes some matches for team to find their rhythm. I’m very happy with the result.”
…On the performance of Itodo Akor
“Ordinarily if you look at my team, we’ve exit of some players and Itodo too wanted to move but we were able to convinced him to stay because of his experience, and today he was outstanding,” he said.
Aliyu Zubairu explained that he has turned his attention to their next mid week home fixture.
He said, “Our focused now is the mid week fixture at home to visiting Remo Stars. We’re taking every match seriously as will go back God willing to prepare for the encounter.”
He commended the match officials for the way and manner they handled the game, saying if such fair officiating would continue our league grow.
Gombe United’s Squad:
Itodo Akor – 18(GK)
Rahman Olarewaju – 24
Alege Abdulquadri – 4
Usman Abbas – 26
Christian Molokwu – 31
Samuel Oyedeji – 5( Victor Dawa – 65′)
Muhammad Aminu – 8(Mamuda Aliyu 65′)
Samuel Ogunjimi – 25
Yusuf Taiye – 7( Al’amin Al’amin 59)
Sama’ila Bello – 29(Lucky Vandi 59)
Gimba Ajiji – 39(Kolawale Daniel (89′)
CAUTION: Jide Fatokun 🟨52′(Kwara United)
Unused Subs:
Abine George – 12(GK)
Ahmed Family – 15
Sadiq Shuaibu – 32
Suleyman Alhaji – 27
Halilu Mohammed Teli
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GUFC
