NPFL: Gombe United coach decries late arrivals to away matches
NPFL: Gombe United coach decries late arrivals to away matches
Gombe United coach, Mohammed Babaganaru on Thursday decried his team’s consistent late arrivals to away match venues, describing the situation as “not good” for his team’s performance.
Babaganaru stated this in an interview with newsmen 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 which was scored in the 76th minute of the game by Gombe United’s striker Mujeeb Odufeso.
Babaganaru who admitted that his team’s improved performance in recent matches winning two and drawing one in the last three games, however attributed the success to tactical changes made to the team and not financial motivation.
“The issue of finance, I still want the government to come to our aid.
“Most of the time these days, 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, do our normal shake up in the evening a day to the match
“But these days, about 3 or 4 matches, we have not done anything like that, we are running to the match very late.
“I will keep appealing to the government to help us, we need their financial help,” the coach said.
Explaining further, Babaganaru said part of the reasons for the late arrival was due to the fact that the “team’s bus is dead.
“At the moment, the bus is at Akure (Ondo State) and yet to arrive; when we were coming, the bus broke down.
“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 outcome of the match, he said the maximum points secured was his major concern and he was excited his team defended the lone goal to get another home win.
He said the last three matches, his team had been doing well and improving, pledging to sustain the feat in order 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 to Abia Warriors,” he said.
On the officiating which saw a goal disallowed by the centre referee, he said that he would not comment on that, “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.
When approached, Bala Abubakar, Technical Adviser of Katsina United turned down request for an interview with journalists.
