Aliyu Zubairu blames early goal for Gombe United loss at Akwa United

By Wale Mustapha

Technical adviser of Gombe United, Aliyi Zubairu has ascribed early goal conceded as major impediment to their 1-0  loss against Akwa United in a Nigeria Premier Football League encounter in Uyo on Thursday.

Uche Collins’ free header from inside the box from James Ajako’s delivery as early as ninth minute was all he hosts required to silence the visitors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Reacting to the defeat, Zubairu admitted that the early goal destabilized his side’s plan, and went on to assure that they will make amends by producing an improved performance on their next fixture on home ground.

“It’s a painful defeat, we could have got something here, I think the early goal they scored destabilized our plan and later in the second half we got the rhythm but we were not lucky,” the former Wikki Tourists manager told media.

“We’re going to work on our deficiencies before the commencement of the second round of the league, but we will need to end the first round well in our home game.”

Gombe United will be up against Plateau United at home in their final first round fixture at the Pantami Stadium on Sunday.