Yusuf Abdulazeez on Saturday scored his 10th goal of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season as hosts Gombe United draw 1-1 with Akwa United Football Club of Uyo.

Abdulazeez scored in the 36th minute from the penalty kick spot to hand the hosts a point in the Match Day 23 fixture played at the Pantami stadium in Gombe.

Aliyu Zubairu, the Technical Adviser of Gombe United, later said scoring was good for Abdulazeez and would encourage him to do more for the team.

Speaking on the match, Zubairu said the result did not meet his expectations, as his team had prepared to grab the maximum three points in the match.

He said anxiety on the part of his players was responsible for the series of goalscoring chances which went unutilised.

Zubairu, however, said his team would continue to push and “we will see how it ends at the end of the season.”

On his part, Ayodeji Ayeni, the Technical Adviser of Akwa United, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the match.

Ayeni said since taking charge of the team, his plan had been to go unbeaten and “God has been on our side to have got this result in spite the tough and highly tactical game.”

He said the hosts were a good side which he respected a lot, but stated that his team came with a game plan and “our plan worked for us.”

The coach described the away point gained as vital and “respite ahead of our next two home games”. He commended the officiating, adding that it was good.

Adam Yakubu scored for the visitors in the 15th minute of the game.

With the result, Gombe United now has 32 points from 23 matches played and sit in the eighth position on the league table.

Akwa United with 33 points from 23 matches now occupy the seventh position.

(NAN)