Showcasing Coach Alabi’s exceptional brilliance at Gombe United

By Barry Kalla

Gombe United’s relegation to the Nationwide League One (NLO) is one that is widely being perceived as a difficult pill to swallow and a rude shock to all football lovers in the state who would have wished it was a bad dream that they should hastily awake from, especially in view of the pedigree of the club and its role in putting smiles on the faces of millions of passionate fans week in, week out.

To them, it is one prophesy they wished was never fulfilled as many football analysts in the state had earlier raised the alarm regarding the manner the club was being managed and handled administratively but the warning was ignored and today, Gombe United has now achieved the opposite of the mandate set for it by the state which is Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ticket.

In the midst of all these, we must never forget the sacrifices that were made in spite of the club’s relegation. One of those sheer sacrifices is that of Coach Yusuf Salihu Alabi whose unmatchable commitment, diligence and true brilliance added value to Gombe United. Coach Alabi, as the Technical Adviser of the club invested a lot of technical know-how which could have paid off if he had enough time. The repairs and technical reforms gave Gombe United the pride of not getting relegated long before now.

Though the mandate of the club wasn’t met, but we must not fail to lavish our commendation where it is most needed and to Alabi, he deserves all the commendations in view of the state he met Gombe United and the impact he made within the short time available.

One of the beauties of life is that it maintains a balance, where every negative situation contains a hidden positive spark and without mincing words, Yusuf Alabi is that spark that must be celebrated for his exceptional efforts in building and rekindling hope at a time that the club was battling the worst performance in recent history.

Somehow, Alabi’s prowess came in good in terms of character building, professionalism, team unity, and rejigging the structural make-up of the team that produced some impressive results that repositioned the team and gave hope to numerous fans of Gombe United.

A quick look at the results, showed that on February 14, 2026 Jigawa Golden Stars defeated Gombe United 2-1; interestingly, though a defeat but it was the first time, Gombe United scored an away goal in months, prior to this match which was Alabi’s first on the job. The away goal was the hope the fans waited for in a long time. The next match was even a better outing as United beat visiting Bichi 2-1, before going to Kebbi to pick a point on the road with a goalless draw.

The other matches were a 1-1 draw with Yobe; 2-0 defeat away to Adamawa United and a 2-0 win at home against Ranchers on April 22, 2026. Analysis of the result under Alabi’s watch showed a departure from the norm of frequent points losses both at home and away.

Alabi further proved that his Confederation of African Football (CAF) B License is not a mistake by winning the state F.A Cup for Gombe United and adding more value to the history of the club.

A glance at Alabi’s coaching and sports certification showed that he obtained his Basic Certificate in football coaching in 2008; Modern Trend in Football Coaching 2009; Youth Football Coaching and Admin 2011; BFUT Level 4 Coaching License (FIFA Endorsed) 2012.
Others include CAF “C” License 2014; CAF “B” License 2017; Pro Football Management Master Class (PFMMC) 2020; Coach the Coaches Refresher Course (Ghana) 2021; IOC Sports Administrator Course 2023; CAF License Coach Educator 2025 and IOC Sports Manager Course 2025.

With such rich CV, he has worked with over 22 clubs across the country before joining Gombe United. Indeed his wealth of experience has helped fortified Gombe United but for time and other administrative ills, Alabi would have restored the glory of Gombe United.

This write-up is to show appreciation to Coach Yusuf Alabi regardless of the circumstances.
We are proud of what he has done and in spite of the relegation his professionalism is not in doubt because he has proven that he can be trusted with any team even in NPFL to deliver the goods.

Gombe Aquatic Sports Body Unveils Board, Sets Stage for Competitive Debut

By Auwal Ahmad Umar 

The Gombe State chapter of the Aquatic Sports Association has taken a major step toward revitalising water-based sports with the official inauguration of its patrons and board members, signalling the beginning of structured aquatic sporting activities in the state.

The ceremony, held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, also featured the establishment of twelve strategic committees designed to drive the association’s operations and ensure effective coordination of its programs.

Speaking at the event, the state chairman of the association, Tijjani Jaafar, described the inauguration as a turning point for aquatic sports development in Gombe. He revealed that the association is set to roll out various activities, including competitive swimming, diving, and water polo, as part of efforts to harness local talent.

Jaafar commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for fostering a supportive environment for sports growth, noting that such backing has created opportunities for emerging athletes to thrive.

He, however, stressed the need for sustained collaboration between government and private stakeholders, particularly in sponsorship and athlete welfare, to ensure that the association’s programs are not hindered by funding challenges.

According to him, Gombe athletes are well-positioned to compete at national platforms, including the upcoming National Sports Festival, provided there is increased investment in training and development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Adamu Inuwa Ibrahim, endorsed the association during a meeting in his office, assuring members of the ministry’s continued support. He expressed optimism that the body would contribute positively to the state’s sporting reputation and pledged an open-door policy for engagement.

Also speaking, one of the association’s patrons, Shehu Awak, called for financial support to enable the smooth execution of programs and expressed confidence in the association’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

The newly formed committees include technical organisation and meetings; finance, budget, and sponsorship; school sports and higher institutions; and the Aquatic Integrity, Disciplinary, and Ethics Unit.

Others are media and publicity; lifeguards; water safety and drowning prevention; facilities and swimming pool monitoring; security; athlete discovery and development; open-water swimming, polo, and diving; medical and doping control; as well as the Aquatic Welfare Committee.

With the structures now in place, stakeholders say the association is poised to nurture talent and position Gombe as a competitive force in aquatic sports nationwide.

Oriental Energy Football Cup Set for Kick-Off in Maiduguri as 48 Teams Battle for Glory

By Auwal Ahamad Umar

Everything is now in place for the maiden edition of the Oriental Energy Football Cup, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on April 6, 2026, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The competition is expected to bring 48 football teams drawn from Maiduguri and neighbouring local government areas together in what organisers describe as a major grassroots football fiesta aimed at promoting unity, sportsmanship, and talent discovery.

The tournament will follow a knockout format, ensuring that every match is a high-stakes encounter for the participating clubs, according to the organisers.

The teams have been grouped into 12 groups, while the opening fixture will see Mafoni Warriors take on FC Crack at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

The official draw ceremony was held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Football Association Hall, Elkanemi Warriors Sports Centre, Maiduguri, where club officials, coaches, and football stakeholders gathered to witness the pairing of teams ahead of the competition.

One of the key moments at the event was an update on the new Laws of the Game, delivered by respected Borno-based referee Ali Sharu, popularly known as Ali Wulari. During the session, he explained recent changes in football regulations to participating teams and clarified several issues raised by coaches.

The interactive session allowed club officials to seek explanations on areas of concern, with Ali Sharu providing detailed responses to ensure deeper understanding of the revised football rules before the start of the tournament.

Speaking after the draw, Coach El-Ahmed Goni, commonly known as Coach Nasara of the Mafoni Warriors, praised the organisers for putting together what he described as a commendable football competition. He also expressed hope for a successful and peaceful tournament.

Also reacting, Coach Ibrahim Ali Kellu, also known as Coach Dala, described the competition as one of the best initiatives by football stakeholders in the state, despite being its first edition.

He noted that the tournament would be highly competitive because of its knockout format, where every team must fight to survive.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Borno State Club Owners Association, Ibrahim Mohammed, commended the local organising committee for what he called a well-coordinated and transparent draw ceremony.

He urged all participating clubs to maintain discipline throughout the competition and advised team officials to properly educate their players and supporters on the updated laws of football to avoid unnecessary tension before, during, and after matches.

According to him, discipline, respect for the rules, and fair play will be essential to the success of the tournament.

The ceremony ended with the formal grouping of all the teams, setting the stage for what is expected to be an exciting and fiercely contested football championship in Maiduguri.

With growing anticipation among football lovers in Borno, the Oriental Energy Football Cup is already shaping up to be a major platform for showcasing local talent and strengthening grassroots football development in the state.