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Gombe United coach quits, blames poor condition of service

He said the failure of the state government to pay match bonuses as well as ensure the welfare of the team had remained a distraction to him as a coach.

• July 19, 2023
Gombe United
Gombe United

Aliyu Zubairu, the Gombe United Football Club’s technical adviser, on Wednesday, confirmed his exit from the club after four seasons.

Zubairu, who disclosed this in an interview in Gombe, blamed poor condition of service for his decision not to renew his contract with the club.

He said his decision not to renew his contract was as a result of the fact that the state government had done nothing to improve the club towards motivating the team.

“I  didn’t renew my contract which had expired; I was supposed to but I did not; I want to quit now.

“I am leaving, that’s the reason I didn’t renew my contract with the club,” he said. 

He said the failure of the state government to pay match bonuses as well as ensure the welfare of the team had remained a distraction to him as a coach.

“For four seasons now, we were only paid four match bonuses and agents continued to withdraw their players week-in week-out because the management had failed to fulfill agreement.

“I have lost count of the number of unpaid match bonuses, it is almost 50 match bonuses and out of that, the state government only paid for four matches.

“This is a distraction; I have to do the work of a coach, psychology and everything.

“There is no match we don’t have a problem of bus; our vehicles getting damaged at every movement,” he said.

Asked if he would be willing to renew his contract with Gombe United, Zubairu said it would depend on the nature of the contract because he had done everything humanly possible to keep the team going.

“I have been with the club from NNL and two seasons in NPFL  but the team refused to change for better and I don’t know where the problem is coming from.

“If I am called for a renewal of contract with a better condition of service, of course I will do it.”

To fans of Gombe United, Zubairu said they were good and wonderful, considering all the support they gave him.

“I will not be in Gombe forever, they should bear with me and with the years I have spent, in Nigeria league it is hard to be in a club for three seasons and not to talk of four.”

He said his stay at Gombe United was one of the exceptional scenarios and “I have paid my dues and the team will always be in my heart.”

He advised the state government to increase the financial commitment to the club before engaging the next coaching crew.

Zubairu said he was available to sign a contract with any club that presents him with a good offer.

(NAN)

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