The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gombe United

  • NNL Banish Gombe United to Jos after crowd trouble

    NNL Banish Gombe United to Jos after crowd trouble

    Gombe United FC has been fined N2,000,000 and ordered to complete their MatchDay 7 fixture against Jigawa Golden Stars FC under strict conditions due to crowd disturbances at Pantami Stadium.

    The decision came  after a disciplinary review of the abandoned encounter in the ongoing 2025/2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

    In an official statement, the NNL confirmed receipt of the match report for Match No. 72, played on 21 December 2025. The game was goalless at the end of regulation time, with five minutes added by the referee. Trouble began at 90+4 minutes when fans, supporters and officials of Gombe United encroached onto the pitch to protest a goal-kick decision.

    The situation quickly degenerated into chaos, with the match officials reportedly harassed and intimidated. Under pressure, the referee rescinded his original decision and awarded a penalty kick to Gombe United. Despite this, persistent encroachment and intimidation forced the referee to abandon the match at approximately 90+24 minutes, with the scoreline still 0–0.

    Read Also: NFF  suspends many referees to protect game integrity

    Following its investigation, the NNL established that there was clear pitch encroachment, harassment, and intimidation of match officials. The referee also confirmed that his decision had been altered under duress, while the prolonged disruption ultimately made it impossible for the game to continue safely.

    Based on these findings, the league ruled that Gombe United breached Articles 16.1.1 and 16.4 of the NNL rules and regulations. As a result, the club was fined ₦2,000,000 for field invasion and sanctioned to complete the remaining one minute of stoppage time at the Jos Township Stadium on Friday, 16 January 2026. The fixture will be played behind closed doors under strict access conditions, with only approved security personnel, club officials, match officials, medical staff, media representatives, and accredited cameramen allowed.

    The NNL further directed Gombe United to subsidize Jigawa Golden Stars’ transport and accommodation with ₦500,000, bringing the total financial obligation to ₦2,500,000, payable on or before 9 January 2026. Payment of the fine is a condition for the match completion, as failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of three points and three goals in favour of Jigawa Golden Stars. The league also gave Gombe United 24 hours to either accept the sanctions under summary jurisdiction or appeal the decision to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

  • Nikyu assures Gombe United faithful of NPFL return 

    Nikyu assures Gombe United faithful of NPFL return 

    Newly appointed head coach of Gombe United, Bala Nikyu has revealed that his immediate task is to ensure that the Desert Scorpions return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. 

    Gombe United were relegated last season after a calamitous campaign in the topflight but Nikyu has promised the good people of the state that good tidings are around the corner ahead of next season.

    He stated after his unveiling, “I know other teams have started their preparations, but it’s not about how far you go, it’s about how well you perform.

    Read Also: NFF board divided over Chelle, Saintfiet for Eagles

    “With the management’s backing, I believe we can achieve this. I just need everyone’s support to make it happen,” he concluded.”

  • Gombe United must respond against Sunshine – Chigozie

    Gombe United’s Maurice Chigozie calls on his colleagues to bounce back against Sunshine Stars, following their disappointing 5-1 loss to Plateau United last weekend.

    “We are exasperated by the events of last weekend, but we have another game coming our way very quickly, which I think is a good thing for us,” Chigozie told Goal.

    “Obviously we will be without a few players now, but we still have players who have the quality to go to Sunshine Stars and cause them a lot of problems.

    “It does hurt to have lost scandalously to Plateau United and it isn’t a fair reflection of the game on our players, but we will use our frustrations to our advantage and look to get the result we want in Ijebu Ode on Sunday.”

  • Obiokor pleased with Gombe United’s progress

    Obiokor pleased with Gombe United’s progress

    Kennedy Obiokor believes Gombe United are getting back on track in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
    Manu Garba’s team struggled to string good results at some stage in the ongoing campaign. However, the Savannah Scorpions have grabbed two victories and a draw in the last four matches.
    “We’re finally finding our feet now and putting into the games exactly what the coach wants us to carry out,” Obiokor told Goal.
    “I’m really pleased that we’re on a good run at the moment and I think the next seven games will be very crucial for us.
    “Our team spirit is massive, which is good for the team. We’ve done really well recently and hope to consolidate with impressive results. Gombe United isn’t a pushover and we won’t stop showing it in our remaining matches.”

  • Gombe Utd vs Rangers match postponed

    Gombe Utd vs Rangers match postponed

    The match day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) between Gombe United and Rangers International FC of Enugu earlier scheduled for Thursday has been shifted to yet to be announced date.

    SportingLife reports that the postponement may be unconnected with Rangers CAF Confederation Cup engagement.

    Players and officials of the Flying Antelopes returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after CAF Confederation Cup ouster.

    The Nigerian representatives were eliminated from this year’s competition, after they lost 3-0 to Zesco United in Ndola, Zambia on Saturday.

    The NPFL champions crashed out on a 5-2 aggregate. Rangers threw away a two-goal lead in the first leg to draw 2-2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

  • Wikki thrash Gombe United 3-1

    Wikki thrash Gombe United 3-1

    Wikki Tourists FC defeated Gombe United 3-1 in the matchday 18 of the Nigeria Profesional Football League (NPFL) played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Sunday.

    Two quick first half goals from Chukwudi Samuel and Abubakar Lawan put Wikki Tourists, who have been struggling to find its rhythm in the first stanza of the season, in the comfort zone.

    Samuel put the hosts in front in the third minute before Lawan tapped in a corner kick in the 23rd minute to the delight of the home fans.

    Few minutes later, the visitors had the opportunity to put one back in the 28th minute but Mannir Ubale’s one-on-one chance was thwarted by Wikki Tourists’ goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu who parried the ball away.

    Ubale would later on sustain an injury and he was replaced by Samuel Agba.

    Sadiq Shuaibu got a goal for Gombe United with a thunderbolt shot outside the 18-yard box in the 59th minute after series of attempts in the second half as the visitors put more pressure on the hosts.

    Hassan Hussein added another goal for Wikki Tourists when he scored a superb free kick in the 82 minute despite the visitors’ efforts to reduce the tally.

    The match was put on hold for a few minutes as the security men fired tear gas to disperse the  crowd but Wikki Tourists sealed the victory after nine minutes of added time.

  • Gombe United must match ‘ambitious’ MFM, warns Obiokor

    Gombe United must match ‘ambitious’ MFM, warns Obiokor

    Gombe United ‘s Kennedy Obiokor believes that matching MFM ‘s intense approach will be the key to securing a victory when both sides clash on Sunday.

    It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Savannah Scorpions on their return to the topflight as they have managed just four wins in 14 matches and are placed a spot above the drop.

    And their next Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter see them welcome the high-flying Lagos side to the Pantami International Stadium.

    “MFM are an ambitious team, they know what they are doing on the pitch and most of their players have been together for a long time. It’s really hard to beat them if you don’t match their intensity,” Obiokor told Goal .

    “We have achieved important victories in the past. It’s going to be an excellent game. If we beat them (MFM) at home, we will take a great step forward.

    “The most important thing is to continue to believe and expect to win matches .

    “We will play this game like any other game and  keep hoping to get a good result in order to improve our position in the table.”

  • KANO PILLARS 2-0 GOMBE UNITED

    KANO PILLARS 2-0 GOMBE UNITED

    Double strike delights Najere

    Kano Pillars’ Musa Najere has expressed his happiness after his two goals of the season sealed a comfortable home win for Sai Masu Gida against Gombe United.

    Najere, who switched to Pillars from Enyimba at the beginning of the season, played his third game of the season yesterday after his stint with injury and he told SportingLife that he was a relieved man to have returned with a bang.

    He promised to continue to help his team and that the latest win over the Desert Scorpions was just to underline their determination to put Pillars back to where they deservedly belong at the end of the season.

    Pillars are still fourth on the log with 23 points from 13 games and with a game at hand.

  • Samuel Mathais sets 14 goals target

    Samuel Mathais sets 14 goals target

    El Kanemi Warriors midfielder Samuel Mathais has expressed his aspiration to score 14 goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season.

    Mathais netted a brace in his side’s 3-0 bashing of Gombe United in a matchday 8 encounter at the El-Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri on Sunday evening, which made it his third league goals this season.

    The former Gombe United star emerged man-of-the-match following his outstanding performances in the game.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Mathais expressed joy over the award as he promised to score more goals for his club.

    “First of all, I must give the glory to God for his grace upon my life. And secondly, I feel happy to be man-of-the-match and scored two goals against my former club, but then I am not comfortable with that  because as a midfielder I have target of scoring 14 goals this season,” Mathais said to SportingLife.

    The former Kano Pillars midfielder said that his team deserved victory over Gombe United on Sunday.

    “I am proud to say we were the better side. I said it before the game that our home ground is a fortress and we are willing to make it a trade mark as long as possible,” he said.

  • Enugu Rangers secure first win of the season

     
    Reigning league champions, Enugu Rangers have secured their first win
    of the season at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium after they pipped
    visitors, El Kanemi Warriors 1-0 through a 68th minute strike of Bobby
    Clement in a match riddled with many missed chances.

    The Flying Antelopes have now amassed four points from three matches
    and they will make a short trip to Uyo to face wounded Akwa United on
    Wednesday in a Match Day Four tie.

    Enyimba also bagged their second win of the season after the 1-3
    collapse in Jos with a 2-0 home victory over stubborn Gombe United at
    the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    The People’s Elephant’s Ibrahim Mustapha started from where he stopped
    in the last home game when he put his side ahead in the 65th minute
    through the assist of Dare Ojo before Mfon Udoh put the icing on the
    cake in the 88th minute from the penalty spot for his first goal of
    the season.

    Enyimba have six points from two matches and they have a tough Abia
    derby to contend with this mid week when they tackle Abia Warriors at
    the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Katsina United and Remo Stars also got home wins against Nasarawa
    United and Abia Warriors respectively in Katsina and Shagamu.

    The Bala Nikyu boys left it late at the Karkanda Stadium before
    Suleiman Musa got the winning goal about 10 minutes from time while
    the Sky Blue Boys were also victorious through a die minute penalty
    converted by Victor Mbaoma in the 90th minute for his third goal of
    the season.