Taye Yusuf’s Second Half Brace Gives Gombe United First Win Of The Season
Gombe United Fc on Wednesday recorded their first win in the ongoing 2023 Nigerian Premier Football league (NPFL) after beating Shooting Stars Fc of Ibadan 2-1 in the week five fixture.
The match which kicked off at four o’clock in the evening at the Pantami stadium, Gombe saw the hosts pushing for an early goal as Ahmad Umar and Anayo Ogbunna registered goal on target in the 4′ and 11′ respectively.
Anayo Ogbunna again came closer in the 21′ as his bullet header from inside the box was denied entry by the bar; and was followed by a fruitless goal melee .
Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, the Savannah Scorpions were unable to find the back of the net as Ben Onyika from Anambra state blew the whistle to end the first stanza after the expiration of the additional three minutes.
Taye Yusuf sent the mammoth crowd to a wild jubilation just seven minute into the second half (52′) as he capitalised on a defensive mixed up to slot home from close range; he then headed home Victor Dawa’s sublime free kick in the 57′.
The visitors pulled one back in 66′ through Gali Falke who tapped in after goalkeeper Abine George parried a goal bound from the right.
In a post match interview, Gombe United’s Technical Adviser Aliyu Zubairu expressed gratitude to God for the victory and applauded his lads for a job well done.
He said, “The pressure is mounting on them and if we don’t quickly break the jinx, it would affect their performance, so that is why I’m happy for them, particularly the ones that have just joined us.”
While calling on the players to build on the momentum, Aliyu Zubairu appealed to fans and supporters of the club to encourage the players when they’re down instead of booing or using abusive words on them.
The Savannah Scorpions tactician said goal scoring has been their problem, and they have finally broken the jinx , and expressed confidence of picking a point in their next away outing, despite the fact their opponents are have won all their fixtures so far.
Gombe United’s will up against returnees Bendel Insurance on Saturday 4/2/23 on Benin in the week six fixture
Gombe United’s squad:
Abine George – 12(GK)
Rahman Olarewaju – 24
Alege Abdulquadri – 4
Usman Abbas – 26
Umar Ahmad – 17
Samuel Oyedeji – 5( Mamuda Aliyu 42′)
Victor Dawa – 22
Yusuf Taiye – 7( Sani Abbani 83′)
Lucky Vandi – 20 (Sama’ila Bello 60′)
Samuel Ogunjimi – 25(Sadiq Shuaibu 83′)
Anayo Ogbunna – 2Unused sub:
Abubakar Adamu- 44(GK)
Muhammadu Souley – 6
Chidi Ernest – 14
Kolawale Daniel – 19
Gimba Ajiji
Halilu Mohammed Teli
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GUFC
