FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Gombe United share the spoil

By Taofeek Babalola

Gombe United came from behind to force FC Ifeanyi Ubah to a 2-2 draw in the matchday  31 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi on Sunday.

The Savannah Scorpions, which went into the game as underdogs, gave the visitors tough time from start till the end of the game.

Despite dictating the pace of the game, the visitors were caught unaware by Loute Isaac brace from two resembling free kicks in the 36th and 45th minutes of play respectively as the first stanza ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts.

It took 15^th minute into the second half for the visitors to pull one back from Sani Abbani's header, his fourth for the season before Austine Oladapo equalised in the 67th to balance the game.

The drama came in the 95' when Sani Abbani tapped in his second goal of the game and third for the Savannah Scorpions after counter attack from the left flank but the central referee had blew the whistle which brought the game to an end.

The result means Gombe United have picked just three points away from home this season in their last 16 away matches. Also FC IfeanyiUbah have not lost a game at home, and the team which are yet to concede a goal at home in their last 5 matches in an NPFL game their home record dented on Sunday when the Gombe-based side scored two goals.

Coach Manu Garba made six changes to the squad that played against Niger Tornadoes in the match day 30 at home and gave a start to Zaidu Ibrahim, Abdulrahaman Umar, Haruna Adamu and Habib Yakub while Mohammed Hammasale got into the squad for the first time from the bench.

Gombe United will host Lobi Stars of Makurdi in yet another northern NPFL derby as they push to get out of the relegation zone.