Gbenga Ogunbote, the Technical Chief of Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne, Ogun State, said his team did not deserve their 0-1 away defeat to Gombe United Football Club at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe on Sunday.
Gombe United handed down the defeat in a Match Day 12 fixture of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League.
Ogunbote, at a post-match conference, said the defeat was a representation of the alternatives that football offered, stating that his team deserved something more than the result.
According to him, his team played to the level of a either a draw or a win in the game.
He said: “The defeat is one of those things in football.
“There are three results: win, draw or loss.
“Fortunately, we got the bad one, which was a loss.
“But we all know from the game that we did not deserve to lose, but that’s football sometimes you play well and yet you lose.”
Ogunbote, however, stated that his team would take the “positives from the game to comeback to winning ways in their subsequent matches”.
Aliyu Zubairu, the Technical Adviser of Gombe United FC, said Remo Stars was a good side, but not unbeatable, adding that the team had been overrated in the NPFL.
According to Zubairu, Remo Stars’ defeat was carefully planned and well executed.
He said: “I know Remo Stars in and out and I know their mode of operation, the way they approach their matches and that was why the first 10 minutes we took the fight to them.
“We know the only thing is sit back, wait for the right moment and take us on the counter.
“So we went out to them.
“Before they could settle, we destabilised them and got the goal.”
Zubairu stated that his team had played more formidable sides in Enyimba, Lobi Stars and so maintained that there had been “too much shout on Remo Stars”.
He commended his players for showing commitment and resilience, while assuring that his team would not allow “this victory to get into their head; so we are going to Dakkada to win”.
Zubairu stated that his team was gradually moving out of their “unpleasant” standing on the league table and would continue to sustain the improvements.
Dr. Larry Daniel, the Chairman of Gombe United, who was at the stadium to cheer his team, told NAN that United’s players and the coaching crew deserved commendation for “a job well-done”.
Daniel also commended the fans for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner, while supporting their team, appealing that such gestures should be sustained into the remaining matches of the season.
He thanked the state government for its support, but appealed for more to ensure that the team was well motivated going forward.
NAN also reports that Ibrahim Yahaya scored Gombe United’s lone goal in the 15th minute of play to end Remo Stars unbeaten run of winning six of its 11 matches, and drawing five.
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