Gombe United General Manager, Abubakar Abubakar, has predicted that his team will use the Naija Super Eight play-offs to confirm their status as the biggest clubside from the country’s Northeast.

Gombe United will trade tackles with Yobe Desert Stars at the Eket Township Stadium on June 24, with the winner picking a ticket to represent the zone in the main Naija Super Eight tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from July 7 to 16. 
 
Abubakar said the derby is a big game in the region and Gombe United will do what it takes to clinch victory for their fans. “This is a special tournament to us, derby games are big in the North and the fans, who voted for us to participate in the tournament, are interested in our performance and they want us to win.
 
“We are starting with a derby game, which makes the tournament unique. Winning derby games is something that our fans do not joke about and we have to give our best.
 
“Yobe Stars have their history and we respect them; they have their fan base and they are likely feeling the pressure from their fans. We are the biggest club going into this game because they played in the lower division, but that won’t make the game easy for us… we have to fight in the game and earn our win. We have to confirm our status as the biggest club in the North East,” he said.  
 
Abubakar assured that Gombe United players are in top shape and ready for the battle, saying: “We have been able to rest for a few weeks after the NPFL season; our coaches and players are refreshed and we have resumed preparation for the tournament.
 
“Before we embarked on the short break, we communicated to the boys our programmes and schedules for the Naija Super Eight… we outlined the home routines that will keep them in shape.”
 
The last time both clubs clashed in a competitive game was in 2019, when Gombe United edged Yobe Stars 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe. Success Emmanuel’s first-half goal earned the win for the home side.
 
Four years later, the Naija Super Eight will reignite the North East derby in Eket. Gombe United vs Yobe Stars and other Naija Super Eight play-off matches will be live on SuperSport Football (DStv ch 205 & GOtv ch 61), SuperSport Variety 4 (DStv ch 209), and SuperSport Select 2 (GOtv ch 64).
 
Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors, MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.