Election break, telling alot on our games -Gombe gaffer
….. as Gombe United thrash Kwara United 1-0
Coach of Gombe United Football Club Aliyu Zubairu, on Wednesday blamed his team’s performance on the election break despite beating the visiting side Kwara United 1-0 at the Pantami stadium.
Zubairu who made this disclosure during post-match briefing with journalists expressed optimism that his team’s game would improve despite suffering defeat in Jos on Sunday.
He said, “I feel delighted because it wasn’t an easy match at all considering the fact that we were delayed during the period of election. It is really telling a lot. We struggled all through the second half but all the same, it is a step ahead for us.
“What we are looking for now is to get stability. The points we lost at home, we have been able to regain three, then we start thinking of consolidating it but stability is the priority.
“Once we stabilize, we can project but for now, the team needs stability.”
Speaking about his opponents, Zubairu noted that, “Kwara United is on a good side considering the fact that since Kabiru Dogo took the job, he went to academy and won, he went home and also won; that motivated the team. They came with that spirit but getting here, they did not meet us as they expected but all the same, they are on a good side.”
Commenting on the officiating, Zubairu disclosed that “The officiating is good. NPFL officiating has been good so far. Whoever complains about the officiating is just looking for excuse. Even the match we played against Plateau on Sunday, we had two good penalties but after the match, I didn’t say anything about it since the referee didn’t count it as penalty, so be it. But ordinarily, if it were some teams, they would complain of being denied penalty. All the same, the referees are doing well,” he said.
On his part, Coach of Kwara United Kabiru Dogo, lauded his opponents saying, “Yeah, good game, we lost 1-0. Congratulations to Gombe United. At the same time, I believe fatigue set in in the first 45 minutes but the 2nd half was a little better.
“It’s a very good setback for us because it was a game we targeted 3 points but it is just unfortunate. We have accepted it in good faith and we will go to the drawing board and work towards our next match.”
On his team’s move, Dogo noted that “Our plan was to get 3 points. That was our target, not just to survive but to make it to the top. And to make it to the top, every point is important. Losing this point is a setback for us but it is one of those things in football.
“They are a good side. They have done well. We thank God. We are humans. We can’t get everything we want but we will take it like that. It is part of the game,” Dogo added.
