Gombe United recorded a remarkable three points with after spanking Aklosendi International Fc 4-1 in the week (3) fixture of the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL)played at the Lafia Township stadium.

Sani Shehu opened the the floodgate just a minute from the kick off when Muazu Taiwo set up Sani Shehu who beat the defense line from a tight corner inside the box before smashing the ball inside the net.

The first stanza ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors who enjoyed bulk of possession and missing pockets of goal chances.

The Savannah Scorpions returned to the pitch more rejuvenated as they continued from where they stopped, firing missiles from all angles and their efforts paid off as Baranabas Daniel followed up and scored from Ahmed Family’s long clearance from the back in the fifty two minutes of play.

Six minutes later,It was in-form Baranabas who notched his second goal of the game and third from three matches, before substitute Sadiq Shuaibu put the game beyond the game of the hosts as he bundled in Muhammad Hussaini’s pass in the 72′.

The hosts tried a fruitless efforts to make a come back after Ali Baba pulled one back in the eighty two minutes

Gombe United gaffer Aliyu Zubairu reacted after the match.

On the victory…

“Kudos to the match officials for officiating the game without fear or favour, i think this is good for the most important league”.

On why he looked worried…

” I don’t want my boys to repeat the mistake they did in Kwara leading by two goals before losing 3-2 and in Kahutu against Rarara leading by two goals before they equalised, it is complicency that always get them carried away”.

Aklosendi International Fc coach Adams Usman
On how he feels…

” I’m not happy first home match losing 4-1 is a bashing; I know the caliber of players I brought, partially i can say Gombe United is a household club and their experience helped them.

Gombe United will not be in action for the match day four fixtures scheduled for Wednesday 3/3/21 as they are on bye.

They will welcome Green Berets Fc on Saturday 6/3/21 at the Pantami stadium for the week five encounter.

Unused Substitutes:

Kazeem Yekini – 1(GK)
Maurice Chigozie – 4
Alhassan Yusuf – 16
Abubakar Yagiɗe -11
Muhammad Isah – 33

Halilu Mohammed Teli
Media Officer

The North Central Zone of NLO Berackiah/Abigol Football Coaching Clinic came to an end in Lafia, Nasarawa State with participants pledging a new approach to football development.

Coach Rabo Bello, one of the participants who received his certificate at the closing ceremony of the 5-Day clinic on Friday at the Lafia City Hall commended the organizers for the initiative which he said has widening their horizon about the dug-out dealings and will bear a positive impact on their players.

Rabo who also thanked the Nasarawa State Government for providing the enabling environment, expressed his delight at the privilege and opportunity to have learnt from all the resource persons who he said have been able to bequeath them with insightful contents. 

In a remark, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Othman Bala expressed belief that the programme would change the narrative of football development and lauded the leadership of Nationwide League One (NLO) for finding the state worthy of hosting the programme.

Bala congratulated all the 52 participants and charged them to transfer the knowledge acquired to their players believing that the technical delivery has afforded them a new knowledge about the game.

He further assured that the State Government under the leadership of Engr. Abdullahi Sule would continue to do it’s best in a bid for the state to take it’s righteous position in the scheme of sports development in the country.

“A seed has been sown today and I want to urge you (coaches) to please tender that seeds to blossom so that it will yield multiple fruits which in the next few years will bear impact on the society” the Commissioner said.

The Chairman Nationwide League One (NLO) Alhaji Mohammed Alkali who expressed his satisfaction about the programme which he said has been able to serve the yearnings of coaches in acquiring more knowledge through a simple mechanism.

Alkali who is also the chairman Nasarawa State Football Association and a Board Member of NFF noted that NLO partnership with the Berackiah/Abigol Football Coaching Clinic reflects the philosophy of the league in providing equal opportunities for teams and also cause a new wave of development in terms of putting the league on a sustainable path.

In their separate remarks, the CEO of Berackiah International, Mr Wonders Nwigwe and Coach Mathew Olorunleke appreciated the government of Nasarawa State for their overwhelming support towards the success of the clinic.

They also thanked the government for the warm reception and hospitality the team had enjoyed since they entered the State.

The former Technical Director of NFF, Coach Bitrus Bewarang urged the coaches to materialise all they have learnt in the clinic to practice, charging them to live up to expectations the clinic was meant to fulfil.

The train of the clinic has now covered the South-West, South-South, South-East and North-Central with Nigerian coaches benefiting from an in depth delivery of coaching education aimed at enhancing their capacity and competence.

Next on the clinic schedule is the North Western part of the country with Kano State as the programme centre.

The clinic will run from Monday 15th – 19th Friday at the Pyramid City.

Nasarawa State Government has commended the organizers of Berackiah/Abigol Football Coaching Clinic for the initiative which it said will develop the capacity and competence of football managers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the clinic which held at the Lafia City Hall, Honourable Othman Bala, the commissioner for Youth and Sports in Nasarawa state assured the organizers the support of the state government towards the success of 5-day clinic.

He noted that the clinic came at a better time when the state is now finding its bearing in sports development upon which it has designed policies aimed at changing the narratives for good with priority on capacity and competence.

“I believe with the depth of technical input of this programme, it will bring about career progression and add value to the coaches and the players, Othman said.

He further added that, “We have been left behind but we’re lucky that we haven’t lost focus. We have now find our bearing and we are going to partner with you as a state sovernment.”

In his remarks, the Executive Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF who also double as Chairman of Nationwide League One (NLO) Alhaji Muhammed Alkali revealed that the clinic with its partnership along with the board is aimed at impacting modern knowledge on the coaches.

Alkali who’s also as the Chairman Nasarawa State Football Association said the NLO partnership with the clinic is a manifestation of his management policy trust in a bid to rebrand and repackage the league as a professional campaign.

“NFF has approved this clinic as part of criteria for NLO clubs and you must have the certificate to be able to seat on the bench of NLO matches, Alkali said.

Bitrus Bewarang, the former Technical Director of NFF also commended the organizers of the clinic saying that it will go along way to help football development at the grassroots.

The CEO Abigol Football Management, Mathew Olorunleke thanked the state government for the hospitality and support it has accorded the Berackiah/Abigol team.

Other guests at the event include Hon. Halidu Akwashiki, Vice Chairman, Nassarawa State Football Association, Mallam Babarabi, the FA secretary and other board Members of the State Football Association.

Also at the opening ceremony are the former Super Eagles and a retired FIFA/CAF instructor, High Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, Roberto Bassi, Gian Marco, Mr. Wonders Nwigwe the CEO Berackiah International, Managing Director of Abigol Football Management Mr. Abraham Olorunleke and host of others.

The clinic for the North Central Zone will end on Friday 12th, February.

The defender has proven to be a crucial component of Bala Nikyu’s Nasarawa United team this season.

Speaking to Newsmen, Tebo Franklin expressed his elation with Nasarawa United’s form this season but stressed that Enyimba will be difficult competition.

“Top three is very good, but now we must just concentrate on a game against Enyimba that will be one of the most difficult we’ve had so far in NPFL,” he began.

“We play well at home, but we will try to win as always.”

Tebo Franklin’s efforts in the centre of defence have paid off: in the seven NPFL matches he’s started, the Solid Miners have conceded a mere five goals.

The defender is modest enough to not accept all the credit, however.

“The defence’s success is due to the sacrifice of all,” he said.

Asked about his prediction for Wednesday’s match in Lafia, Tebo Franklin was optimistic.

“It might be a narrow win, but we hope to pick the three points.”

The Solid Miners continue to exceed all expectations as they overpowered their northern neighbours, Katsina United by 1-0 at the Lafia City Stadium as the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League Season entered week five.

The host went into the dicey tie after forcing a goalless stalemate at Adamawa United in Gombe during the midweek.

Frontman, Chinedu Ohanachom came close to scoring when goalkeeper, Danlami Umar’s long-rangekick went past the vistors’ defence pair of Faisal Sani and Sanusi Abdulmutalab in the 3rd minute, but his final touch flipped slightly above the bar for a goalkick.

Moments later, box-to-box midfielder, Sadiq Abdulrazaq, powered a volley from distance which clattered against the woodwork to the relief of the visitors’ bench.

Katsina United responded with some flashy and threatening attempts but at each point were met by a solid Nasarawa United defence marshalled by the quartet of Tebo Franklin, Uzochukwu Chigozie, Abubakar Abdullahi and Ini Edem, and brilliant goalkeeping from Danlami Umar.

Heading toward the break, Habibu Yakubu combined well with Souley Mohamoudou in the Solid Miners’ half only for their intention to be well read by goalkeeper, Danlami Umar.

Both teams went into the half-time with scores at goalless stalemate.

Upon resumption, Nasarawa United capitalised on a defensive frailty as Silas Nwankwo used his pace and energy to outsmart the opponents’ backline, before trying a low shot that was parried by goalkeeper, Yusuf Muhammed Bala into the waiting feet of Ikenna Ofor whose rebound shot went haywire.

In the 49th minute, the home side broke the deadlock through defender, Uzochukwu Austin Chigozie, after he rose highest to nod Haggai Katoh’s corner kickkick into the back of the net.

Despite introducing fresher legs by coaches of both sides, the result remained unchanged as the centre referee blew the final whistle, the third win for the Solid Miners in all games played so far and the second home win this term, as 20-year-old Tebo Franklin was voted Man-of-the-Match for his outstanding performance, the second time the former Virtosha Vistrisha of Bulgaria player would be scooping the award.

MATCH REACTIONS:

COACH BALA NIKYU(Nasarawa United):

“The scoreline wasn’t our target, but we are very fine with the three points, despite that there was no flow in the game.

“The opponents were very physical and tried to delay unnecessarily.

“But I am happy that the current Management of Club gave me the free hand to bring in the best legs to the Club and this is paying off.”

COACH BISHIR SADAUKI(Katsina United):

“I am building a new team, but I played a game which I wasn’t supposed to lose, even though Nasarawa United are a good side.

“I normally don’t complain about officiating, but we will have to move on from here.”

TEBO FRANKLIN( MVP, Nasarawa United):

“I am once again happy but not satisfied, because we still have a long way to go.

“I must applaud my teammates for always giving their best. I must say we have been very united.”

CAUTIONS:

(Yellow Card):

Nas. Utd: Chinedu Ohanachom 51′,Sadiq Abdulrazak 59′, King Osanga 89′.

Kat. Utd: Faisal Sani 43′,Usman Barau 54′, Boubacar Massaly 89′.

Warri Wolves are the next opponents of the Solid Miners in Ozoro, Delta State, on Sunday, 24th January, 2021.

NASARAWA UNITED X1: Danlami Umar,Abubakar Abdullahi, Ini Edem, Abdulrazak Sadiq, Uzochukwu Austin Chigozie, Franklin Tebo, Aliyu Abdullahi Adam(King Osanga 71′), Haggai Katoh(Victor Okoro 81′), Chinedu Ohanachom(Adamu Hassan 71′), Silas Nwankwo, Ikenna Ofor(David Ehiaghe 81′)

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Galadima Mohammed, Emeka Onyema, Ibrahim Matthew, Ebuka Anaekwe, Dauda Maigishiri

TECHNICAL ADVISER: Bala Nikyu.

Eche Amos,
Media Officer,
Nasarawa United FC,

17/01/2021