Gombe United will go into the 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to better their performance from last season.
The North Eastern side managed to retain their status in the league. However, things are not going to script with the season set to kick off next month.
We give some insights into the famous Savannah Scorpions.
Gombe United history
Gombe United is a well-known team in Nigeria and well-established in the North. They may not have the accomplishments of Northern sides like Kano Pillars, El Kanemi Warriors and Plateau United, but they are decent, with some measure of ambition.
Since their return to the elite division in 1994, Gombe United have had the longest tenure of any Northern side in the top flight.
The Savannah Scorpions stay in the top flight ended in 2014. Since, it's been a seesaw of movement between the top division and the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Gombe United were back in the NPFL in 2016 but were relegated again in 2019. After two seasons in the lower division, Gombe United returned to the elite division in 2021.
Gombe United staff profile
Gombe United is currently in a quandary over its technical department. They presently do not have a manager following the departure of their technical adviser of four years.
Zubair Aliyu had complained of a lack of funds at the club, citing it as a reason for their performance in the regular season of the abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League.
The club is still hunting for a new manager after losing out on Hamza Alabrah.
Gombe United Players
Goalkeepers
- Gideon Gambo
- Kazim Yekini
- George Abine
- Itodo Akor
- Adamu Mohammed Abubakar
Defenders
- Christian Innocent
- Abba Maigari
- Mutawakilu Fuseini
- Alege Abdulkadir
- Mahamadou Souley
- Ahmed Family
- Abdulrahman Olanrewaju Ayinla
- Usman Abbas
- Umar Ahmed
- Christian Molokwu
Midfielders
- Suleiman Usman
- Lucky Vandi
- Aliyu Mamuda
- Nzube Anaezemba
- Gozie Umeh
- Kehinde Adedipe
- Alhassan Yusuf
- Samuel Oyedeji
- Aminu Mohammed
- Ernest Chidibere
- Victor Dawa
- Samuel Ogunjimi
- Samuel Mathias
Forwards
- Abdulwasiu Mahmuny
- Suleiman Usman
- Frederick Obi
- Suleyman Alhaji
- Sadiq Shuaibu
- Sani Abbani
- Gimba Ajiji
- Taiye AbdulLateef Yusuf
- Sama'ila Bello
- Abubakar Saad
- Adama Samuel Kizito
- Akpo Godwin
- Chinonso Uzoagba
- Igbudu Apam
- Sani Suleiman
- Ibrahim Enesi Sanni
- Al Amin Al'ameen
New Signings
- Adama Samuel Kizito (Centre-Forward) – Sokoto United
Departures
- Paul Obata (Winger) – Bendel Insurance
- Anayor Ogbonna (Forward) – Shooting Stars
Gombe United player's salary
The official records for Gombe United player salaries are not in the public domain, but reports suggest the players receive between N150,000 and N250,000 monthly.
Gombe United stadium
Gombe United calls the Pantami Stadium home. The multi-purpose stadium has a sitting capacity of 12,000.
The Pantami Stadium was reconstructed in 2010 and used for football matches. The stadium is also an arena for religious, political and social events.
It also hosts athletics meets and is also home to Doma United FC.
The facility has a synthetic football pitch, a tartan track and a gym.
Gombe United achievements
Nigerian Premier League: 0
2007 Runners-up, Super 4 Playoffs
CAF Champions League: 1 appearance
2008 – First Round
West African Club Championship (UFOA Cup): 1 appearance
2009 – Second Round
Gombe United team news
Gombe United fans worried over the departure of coach
Things are not going well with the Savannah Scorpions. Following the departure of their coach of four years and a few key players, the fans of the North East club have expressed dissatisfaction with the state of affairs at the club.
Aliyu Zubairu, the manager, did not renew his contract, citing a lack of motivation at the club.
Gombe United loses Ogbonna to Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars have completed the signing of Anayo Ogbonna.
Anayo Ogbonna has left the Savannah Scorpion for South Western side Shooting Stars.
The 31-year-old forward has joined the Oluyole Warriors for an undisclosed fee. Ogbonna signed a two-year contract with the Ibadan-based outfit.
Gombe miss out on Alabrah
Hamza Abarah has been re-appointed head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Niger Tornadoes.
Hamza Alabrah, the former Plateau United and Sokoto United manager, was pencilled down by the Savannah Scorpions to replace Aliyu Zubairu.
Alabrah signed a one-year contract with the Minna side.
Gombe United objective for the 2023/24 NPFL season
The Savannah Scorpions will be looking to secure a continental ticket this term.
Besides this, their survival in the elite division remains paramount to the team.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
