Relegation threatened Gombe United Football Club confirmed the resignation of head coach Mohammed Babaganaru on Thursday.
The general manager of the club, Abubakar Abubakar, confirmed Babaganaru’s resignation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe.
“Yes, he (Babaganaru) has resigned,” said Abubakar.
Asked the reasons for the resignation, Abubakar said, “I don’t know; call him and ask him.”
Efforts to contact Babaganaru by the NAN correspondent proved abortive as his phone was switched off.
A top management staff member, who declined to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak for the club, said the coach resigned on Wednesday citing poor funding by the state government, which, according to the coach, had become unbearable for his team.
Babaganaru, in an interview with NAN on Sunday shortly after his team’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Lagos at the Pantami Stadium, appealed to Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State to rescue the team.
The coach said, “Finance is our major problem, and we are pleading with Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State to come to our aid.
“We will go places with a financial boost. We have quality looking at the recruitment we did.
“It (not having enough funds) will affect the team in the NPFL.
“There is nothing you can do without money,” he said.
The two-time winner of the NPFL with Kano Pillars, who was hired by Gombe United in September 2023, complained in several interviews about delays in making away trips.
This, he said, had often affected his players’ performance in away matches, as they were always fatigued after long journeys by road.
The Maiduguri-born coach had also managed Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Nasarawa United, Wikki Tourists, and El Kanemi Warriors before coming to Gombe United.
NAN reports that on July 19, 2023, Aliyu Zubairu, Babaganaru’s predecessor, also left the club after four seasons, citing poor service conditions for his decision not to renew his contract with the club.
Gombe United currently occupy the 19th position on the NPFL log with 21 points from 21 matches with a -17 goal difference. (NAN)
