Gombe United Picks Away Point Against Nasarawa United
Gombe United Football Club on Saturday forced Nasarawa United to a 1-1 draw in the week 14 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Jos New stadium, Jos, Plateau state.
The hosts took control of the match from kick off, as they pushed for an early goal, but failed to convert the goal chances created
The Savannah Scorpions contained the threats from the hosts, as they gradually found their rhythm, but neither sides was able to find the back of the net in the first half.
Half time talk from the’ gaffer was the only tonic needed by the Savannah Scorpions as they came back into the second half more rejuvenated firing cylinders from all angles.
Goalkeeper Itodo Akor, was booked in the 53′ for protesting the decision of the referee who allowed the game to continue despite an infringement against their who was down in pain.
Gombe United who took over possession of the game got their goal in the 71′ through Usman Abbas whose diagonal cross from the left landed into the net to the surprise of goalkeeper Galadima Mohammed.
The Savannah Scorpions missed pockets of glaring goal chances in the course of the match; and with five minutes left, the hosts equaliser via Francis Ayuba despite the fact that goalkeeper Itodo Akor failed awkwardly as he was pushed down in an aerial contest inside the box and the referee overlooked the incident.
Post match reactions:
Bashir Saleh(Gombe United’s Chief coach)
… on the outcome of the match
” We came with a game plan to win, but we got a draw We’re okay with that.
…on what went wrong in the early kick off
“Our players failed to find their rhythm, but after we talked to them in the dressing room in the half time on the importance of the match and they played according to instructions.”
Also speaking, Abubakar Arikya, (Nasarawa United’s coach),
… on the performance of his boys
“Actually what we’re expecting the players to play,they didn’t play to that level we’re expecting. The way they played was different from what they played against Akwa United.”
…on the the performance of Gombe United
“They played better than us. And honestly, they played to instructions.”
The next #NPFL fixture will see Gombe United who currently occupied the sixth position with 18 points on the log in Group A, locking horns with Shooting Stars Fc( seventh on the the log with 17 points )with a game away to Elkanemi on Sunday 16/4/23.
Halilu Mohammed Teli
Media Officer
Gombe United Football Club
