Aliyu Zubairu, the Technical Adviser of Gombe United Football Club, on Wednesday lamented the attitude of his team’s fans during the 3-2 win against Heartland FC of Owerri.

The Match Day 31 fixture in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

Zubairu described the fans’ booing of their own players as “demoralising and capable of making the players not give their best in subsequent matches.”

He said the fans and other spectators needed to have a change of attitude if they want the team to perform well and win matches.

“It seems they (fans) don’t want the team (Gombe United) to win. That’s how I see it. If not, a team that is three goals up needs some degree of motivation.

“Even when they were leading, they were still accusing them. What else do you (fans) want from them?

“They scored three goals. Can’t you maintain it for them through motivation and cheering? They were just booing,’’ the coach said angrily.

Zubairu stated that the result was good but maintained that the fans should learn to “show love to their players and motivate them to get good results.”

On his part, the coach of Heartland FC, Tunde Sani, said the result was “unexpected” as his team had prepared to secure a point from the match.

“It was unfortunate that we conceded those goals. It was unexpected.”

Sani said his players tried to fight back by scoring two goals and would have earned a point but for time.

According to him, the match was a bit difficult because their hosts were a difficult side to play, especially in their home.

He stated that his side was in a “very tight situation now’’ and would do all possible to earn maximum points in their next match at home to Akwa United.

Gombe United’s three goals were scored by Yusuf Abdulazeez, Samai’la Bello and Barnabas Daniel in the 45th, 53rd and 75th minutes respectively.

Heartland FC’s goals were scored by Nnaodo Chukwudi (from a penalty kick) and Mbaoma Chijoke in the 78th and 90th minutes respectively.

Abdulazeez’s goal helped him to take his tally to 14 goals in the ongoing season.

(NAN)