Gombe United sets target for Naija Super 8 play-offs
Gombe United General Manager, Abubakar Abubakar, has said the aim for his team in the Naija Super 8 play-offs is to confirm their status as the biggest club
from the North-East.
Gombe United will trade tackles with Yobe Desert Stars at the Eket Township Stadium on 24 June, for a ticket to represent the zone in the main Naija Super 8
tournament, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from 7-16 July.
Abubakar said the derby is a big game in the region and Gombe United will do what it takes to clinch victory for their fans. “This is a special tournament to
us, Derby games are big in the North and the fans who voted for us to participate in the tournament are interested in our performance and they want us to
win. We are starting with a derby game which makes the tournament unique. Winning derby games is something that our fans do not joke about and we have to
give our best.
“Yobe Stars have their history and we respect them, they have their fan base and they are likely feeling the pressure from their fans. We are the biggest
club going into this game because they played in the lower division, but that won’t make the game easy for us, we have to fight in the game and earn our win.
We have to confirm our status as the biggest club in the North East,” he said.
Abubakar also disclosed that Gombe United players are in top shape and ready for the battle.
“We have been able to rest for a few weeks after the NPFL season, our coaches and players are refreshed and we have resumed preparation for the tournament.
Before we embarked on the short break, we communicated to the boys our programs and schedules for the Naija Super 8, we outlined the home routines that will
keep them in shape,” he said.
The last time both clubs clashed in a competitive game was in 2019, when Gombe United edged Yobe Stars 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe. Success Emmauel’s
first-half goal earned the win for the home side. Four years later, the Naija Super 8 will reignite the North East derby in Eket.
