Gombe United Football Club on Saturday defeated Doma United to clinch 2024 Football Association Cup.
Our correspondent reports that the match initially ended 0-0, before Gombe United maximised its chances during the penalty shootout that ended 3-0 in its favour.
Speaking during a post-match conference at Pantami Township Stadium, Head Coach of Gombe United Alhaji Kwairanga, ascribing the trophy as first of its kind since the assumption of Muhammadu Yahaya-led administration in 2019.
He disclosed that the trophy would rejuvenate the performance and aspirations of the team in the future.
Kwairanga said, “I’m so excited as head coach. This is the first time in Inuwa’s administration that Gombe United won a trophy.”
On what the trophy signals, Kwairanga said “With this performance by God’s grace we are going out of relegation I’m very sure.”
He lauded the fans for their immeasurable support adding “I want to thank the fans for supporting me.”
Bala Abubakar, the newly appointed Technical Adviser of Doma United left the pitch immediately after the referee’s blast of the whistle and was unavailable to grant interview.
Speaking on the FA tournament, Chairman Yakubu Sarma,described the competition as successful adding, “It was a nice play by two football teams exhibiting talents and it ended up in a draw, resulting in penalty shoot out and Gombe united emerged winner in 2024 just like it happened in 2023 and Doma FC won.”
Sarma added, “That is how football should be because naturally it is a game, a fair play and we are supposed to have a healthy kind of rivalry in which we support each other. We have the same background, same culture and these boys are our boys. I think this is what we have been working on and thank God it has yielded result because this is what we looked forward to seeing.”
While lauding Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, for his administration’s support, “This is just a step in the right direction and I assure you that we will continue building on this kind of strength till we reach the pinnacle which is the height and I believe in no distant time, His Excellency will come to our aid in such a way that the grassroots football will be developed in Gombe State,” he added.
