Gombe United bus packs up in Akure, players return home in commercial transport

Babaganaru said part of the reason for arriving late for games at match venues was the club’s bad bus.

News Agency of Nigeria • December 22, 2023

GOMBE UNITED PLAYERS[Credit: Sports Brief] CLUB’S BUS[Credit: Dateline Nigeria]

Gombe United coach Mohammed Babaganaru has decried his team’s consistent late arrival at away match venues, describing the situation as “not good” for his team’s performance.

Babaganaru stated this in an interview with journalists shortly after the Match Day 15 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), 2023/2024 season played at Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe.

Gombe United defeated Katsina United by a lone goal scored in the 76th minute of the game by Gombe United’s striker Mujeeb Odufeso.

Babaganaru attributed the recent successes recorded by his team to tactical changes made to the team and not financial motivation.

The team won two matches and drew one in their last three matches.

“On the issue of finance, I still want the government to come to our aid. Most of the time, we travel late, sometimes a day to the match or even on the day of the match. What I think is good for us is to travel, get there, rest, and do our normal shake-up in the evening a day before the match.

“But these days, we have not done anything like that; we are going into the match very late. I will keep appealing to the government to help us. We need their financial help,” the coach said.

Babaganaru said part of the reason for the late arrivals at match venues was the club’s bad bus.

“At the moment, the bus is at Akure (Ondo State). It broke down on our back from Akure. We had to hire buses in order to get to Gombe. We thank God for everything, but we still need the government’s aid,” he said.

On the match’s outcome, he said the maximum points secured were his major concern, and he was excited his team defended the lone goal to get another home win.

He said that in the last three matches, his team had been doing well and improving, pledging to sustain the feat to make the club’s supporters happy.

“We have made a lot of changes, and we have started getting our rhythm. Our style of play and formation has been worked on, and fans should expect a good result away from Abia Warriors,” he said.

On the officiating, which saw a goal disallowed by the centre referee, he said he would not comment “so that they will not use it against me.”

Babaganaru appealed to fans to continue to support and pray for the team as the team is working hard to make them happy.

Bala Abubakar, the technical adviser of Katsina United, turned down a request for an interview with journalists.

(NAN)

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