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Gombe United General Manager, Abubakar Abubakar, says their aim in the Naija Super 8 playoffs is to confirm their status as the biggest club from the North-East.
Gombe play Yobe Desert Stars at the Eket Township Stadium June 24 for a ticket to represent the zone at the Naija Super 8 tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from 7-16 July.
Abubakar said the derby was a big game in the region and Gombe United would ensure they clinched victory for their fans.
“This is a special tournament to us, derby games are big in the North and the fans who voted for us to participate in the tournament are interested in our performance, they want us to win. We are starting with a derby game, which makes the tournament unique. Winning derby games is something that our fans do not joke with and we have to give our best,” Abubakar said.
“Yobe Stars have their history and we respect them, they have their fan base and they are likely feeling the pressure from their fans. We are the biggest club going into this game because they play in the lower division, but that won’t make the game easy for us, we have to fight and earn our win. We have to confirm our status as the biggest club in the North East.”
Abubakar also disclosed that Gombe players were in top shape and ready for the battle.
“We have been able to rest for a few weeks after the NPFL season, our coaches and players are refreshed and we have resumed preparations for the tournament. Before we embarked on the short break, we communicated to the boys our programmes and schedules for the Naija Super 8, we outlined the home routines that will keep them in shape,” he said.
The last time both clubs clashed in a competitive game was in 2019, when Gombe edged Yobe Stars 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe. Success Emmauel’s first-half goal earned the win for the home side. Four years later, the Naija Super 8 will reignite the North-East derby in Eket.