With six matches to end the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League season, Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar (Dan Fulani) has assured that Gombe United will keep it’s top flight status.

The Savannah Scorpions has recorded an impressive run of form since Abubakar was named the General Manager, as they are seated 9th on the NPFL log with 44points from 32 matches, while Yusuff Abdulazeez chase the season top scorer’s award having scored 14 goals alongside Rivers United duo of Ishaq Kayode and Chijioke Akuneto.

A 10-man Gombe United did put up a good fight against Remo Stars in Ikenne, though suffered it’s 12th defeat of the season via a Sikiru Alimi’s goal in the 15th minute on Sunday.

After the game, Dan Fulani was full of optimism for the club who returned to the NPFL this season.

“No cause for alarm, as our objective after we secured promotion from the NNL Super 8 Play-Off in Enugu is to compete squarely with a view to keep our status in the top division,’ he said.

“That plan is very much on course as despite dropping a few points at home, we have also gained some on the road.

“I want to use this medium to thank HIS Excellence Governor Inuwa Yahaya (Dan-Maje Gombe 1st) for the prompt funding of Gombe United and for the confidence reposed in me to steer the affairs of the club as General Manager.

“Special thanks to the players, technical crew and backroom staff as they have been professional on and off the pitch.

“Not forgetting our fans who have been passionate with the team, supporting us at home and away from home.

“Further, I want to assure the good people of my state that come next season, we’ll work assiduously in making the Savannah Scorpions title contenders and Allah’s willing pick a continental ticket.”

Gombe United will hope to get back to winning mood as they will host Dakkada in a MatchDay 33 fixture at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

Abdullahi Biffo who is the gaffer of Kwara United on Monday, August 2, broke the record set by Samson Unuanel at the Ilorin based club following his wards’ win over Adamawa United in Gombe.

Michael Ohanu and captain Christopher Nwaeze scored the two goals that gave Kwara United 2-0 win over Adamawa United in what was the Harmony Boys last away game this season.

In the history of Kwara United, Coach Samson Unuanel has the highest number of away wins in a season which was 3.

Biffo has now surpassed this record following his away victories this season at Plateau United, Sunshine Stars, Katsina United and Adamawa United making it four away wins this term which is an incredible record.

Interestingly, Kwara United under Abdullahi Biffo were also the first team in history to beat Katsina United at their home ground in an NPFL game.

Kwara United’s win at Adamawa United has now restored the hope of continental ticket with one game each remaining for all the NPFL teams.

“I want to use this medium to thank my management, players, fans, government and all Kwarans because it is their supports that has been helping us.

“We will try our best to win our last game and we hope that Thursday will be a good day for us,” Abdullahi Biffo explained to Kwara United media.

As things stand presently, Kwara United must beat visiting Katsina United in Ilorin this coming Thursday in final game of the season.

The chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Committee Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and the chairman Nigeria Nationwide League, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali have expressed their delight over the Gombe State FA Award scheduled for Saturday 3rd July, 2021

The award ceremony is organized to honour distinguished personalities in the area of leadership, grassroot development and administration in the country, by the Mr. Yakubu Sarma led Gombe State Football Association.

Fourteen awardees have been penciled down, including His Excellency, Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Executive Governor of Gombe State; His Royal Highness Abubabar Shehu Abubakar III, Emir of Gombe, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, NFF 1st Vice President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Chairman of Chairmen amongst others.

While declaring the event open at Mawato Hotel, Katungo on Thursday, Mallam Soye expressed his joy with the innovation.

Soye said it has been long that an event of this magnitude took place in Gombe state.

In his words, “This is the first Capacity training within the state in the modern era as the last time something like this took place was in 1986.”

On the coaches’ side, he clarified some of the mentalities that destroys the beauty of the game.

First is the home advantage syndrome. In his words, the Chairman said there is no such thing as home advantage from the Referee.

“The only advantage you have at home is the Pitch, the fans and the weather,” he explained.

“Coaches, should guide their wards against such mentality as this will lead to players and fans challenging the referee’s decision. Discipline is the keyword in football.”

The Commission Chairman thanked organizers of the educative program.

He rounded up by imploring Referees and Coaches present at the capacity building program to maximize the opportunity that this workshop will afford them so as to better their understanding in their respective fields.

Members of the LOC were welcomed by the commandant. The secretary introduced the LOC.

The LOC chairman, Promise Uwaeme explained to the commandant that the competition which is sponsored by Yakubu Adamu Yola is aimed at promoting peace and unity, discovering and promoting of young talents in football as well as to pay loyalty to the security outfit for their unflinching support towards making the competition to where it is now and as well solicit for more support towards the present and subsequent editions of the competition.

In his response, the Area Commandant, AC Naboki, applauded the efforts of the sponsor to have such a positive thought uniting the youths with the Southern Gombe which comprises of Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom LGA).

The commandant added by sighting examples of the ethnic clashes that occurred years back and added that had it been people had used this same model adopted by Yakubu Adamu Yola, there wouldn’t be place for inter ethnic nor inter communal clashes.

Commandant further insisted that Yakubu Adamu Yola should constitute a prominent personnel to pay a courtesy visit to all the traditional rulers of all the aforementioned local government areas and if possible extend an invitation for them to grace the final as it will go a long way to stamp the vision and mission of the competition.

The same team went to visit the commandant Nigerian civil, security defense corp and divisional police officer.

Maxwell Akongo and CSP Audu Ibrahim expressed 100% support to the football competition.

All Stars reached the last four with a lone goal victory over Liverpool of Bambam.

Balanga United won 4-3 on penalties against Awai United after playing 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

Bare City and Pero Boys failed to find the cutting edge as they played out 0-0 in their Quarter-Final fixture. Goalkeeper Zakka Akawu was the hero as he saved three kicks in the penalty shootouts. It ended 3-1.

Meanwhile, Balanga LGA fought from a goal down to edge Panwa 2-1.

A brace from Agabus Anawuna cancelled out Saidu Yusuf’s strike.

Winners from the two semi-final games will lock horns in the finals on 30th December 2020.

Semi-Final Pairings

All Stars Vs Balanga United

Bare City Vs Balanga LGA

All Stars were ruthless as they dominated the Lashadar side at the Billiri Township Stadium.

Michael Bute was already a brace hero after 26 minutes, as he converted the two chances that came his way.

Abishua Abiu reduced the deficit to give Lashadar hope of a comeback in the 35th minute.

That was extinguished by Friday Felix with 10 minutes left on the clock.

In another interesting match played on Thursday, Liverpool humbled Aston Villa 3-0.

Yunusa Yakubu drew the first blood with a low shot in the fifth minute.

Yakubu increased the lead eight minutes after the hour mark for his brace.

Yaro Hassan capitalized on the goalkeeper’s error to put the game beyond Aston Villa.

The qualification rounds started on Monday 30th November 2020 in all four Local Government Areas of Gombe South, namely Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom.

Defending champions All Stars are joined by Aston Villa, Liverpool, Pakolin, Awai United, Bare City, God Wonder, Dinge Flying Bees, Panwa United, Lashadar United, Balanga, Talase United, Tangland United, Pero Boys, Kilang United and Balanga in the round of 16.

Chairman, Organising Committee, Promise Uwaeme disclosed to newsmen on Monday that matches will be played at Billiri Township Stadium and Obasanjo Stadium.

“We want to improve on Adamu Yola Cup every year. Matches will be played at Billiri Township Stadium and Obasanjo Stadium,” Promise Uwaeme said.

According to him, the football championship is to enable players, who are talented in football horn their skills at the grassroots level.

He stated that the championship would also be a mentorship programme to put Nigerian footballers on the right path.

Round of 16 Fixtures:
Aston Villa Vs Liverpool FC
Pakolin Vs Awai United
Bare City Vs God Wonder
Dinge Flying Bees Vs Panwa United
Lashadar United Vs All Stars
Balanga Vs Talase United
Tangland United Vs Pero Boys
Kilang United Vs Balanga