The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Doma United

  • Doma United will go all out against Barau, says Onigbinde

    Doma United will go all out against Barau, says Onigbinde

    Doma United head coach, Akinade Onigbinde has revealed that the Savannah Scorpions would go into their last group game tie with Barau FC resolved to go all out and see where the result will take them at the ongoing Nigeria National League Super Eight playoff in Asaba.

    The Savannah Scorpions will slug it out with Barau FC this morning at the Delta State University of Science and Technology Stadium, Ozoro, Delta State and Onigbinde asserted that Doma United cannot be ruled out yet in the race for topflight ticket.

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    “Anything can happen. We have our last game against Barau and so if anything comes up fine.

    “We have tried and worked and done what we ought to do and we expect a good outcome on Thursday.”

    Meanwhile, Onigbinde, has issued a public  apology for comments made in the aftermath of his team’s 2-1 loss to Yobe Desert Stars FC in their match day two of the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Promotional Playoffs in Asaba.

    In a statement released yesterday, Onigbinde clarified that his earlier remarks during the post-match press conference were misquoted and misinterpreted. He expressed deep regret over any misunderstanding that may have arisen and offered an unreserved apology for the controversy.

     “I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the aftermath of the post-match press conference interview,” Onigbinde said. “My sincere appreciation goes to the organizers, and I take full responsibility for the outcome of the match.”

    The defeat has put Doma United FC in a crucial position heading into their final group match against Barau FC of Kano — a game that will decide their promotion hopes to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2026 season.

    Onigbinde, known for his passionate and driven approach to football, expressed optimism in his team’s ability to bounce back and fight for promotion.

     “I am an advocate of results, and with the strength of my club and the resilience of our chairman, I do believe we will overcome all difficulties in our last match,” he added.

    Doma United FC will now focus all efforts on their decisive clash with Barau FC in Ozoro, where a win could secure their place in Nigeria’s top-tier league next season.

    The NNL playoffs in Asaba have brought together top teams from across the country, all vying for limited promotion slots, and tensions have run high as the competition reaches its final stages.

  • Sunshine Stars compound Doma United go relegation trouble

    Sunshine Stars compound Doma United go relegation trouble

    Doma United have played themselves deep into the relegation battle ahead of the final match of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) scheduled for this Sunday.

    The Gombe club suffered a 1-0  defeat at home in a rearranged fixture against Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday which further compounded their chances of remaining in the top division.

    However, the win for Sunshine Stars means they have spared themselves the trouble of being involved in a final matchday fight for survival. Ibrahim Yusuf’s goal eight minutes before the break helped Sunshine Stars to their second away win and stretched their undefeated run to five.

    For Doma United, their poor run of form continued as they have now managed just one win in their last five matches and will need a big scoreline to beat the drop when they play hosts to Abia Warriors on Sunday while they hope results elsewhere fall in their favour.

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    Doma United’s collapse after an impressive first round performance in which they were in third position with 32 points after 19 games, ahead of champions Rangers who were in eighth place at the time has come as a result of dip in form in the second round of the campaign.

    Unfortunately for the Savannah Tigers they have managed just two wins in 18 matches in the second round of the NPFL season (W2 D5 L11).

    Despite the recruitment of Bala Abubakar as head coach to help save Doma United from the drop, the slide in form continued and now they do not have their fate in their hands any longer with the likes of Sporting Lagos, Bayelsa United and Akwa United, who are also deep in relegation trouble, aiming for a final matchday win to avoid going down to the second tier.

    Doma United will need a miraculous 15 goal plus win against Abia Warriors to beat the drop considering their inferior goals difference and at the same time, hope Akwa United, Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos lose their final match  fixtures to stand a chance of staying in the NPFL.

  • Imo FA sympathizes with Doma United  over accident

    Imo FA sympathizes with Doma United  over accident

    The Imo State Football Association has extended heartfelt wishes to the officials and players of Doma United Football Club of Gombe over their accident on Monday morning.

    Chairman of Imo Football Association Barrister  Ifeanyi Dike disclosed.

    Doma FC, popularly called Savannah Tigers were involved in an accident along Makurdi-Lafia expressway on their  returning to their base in Gombe from Imo state  after their NPFL match day 35 encounter against Heartland FC on Sunday.

    Dike expressed gratitude to God for safeguarding the occupants in the bus from fatalities and death.

    He said: “On behalf of the executive board of Imo FA, I  extend prayers and wishes for a quick and full recovery to all those affected in the misfortune.

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    “We are particularly grateful to God that no life was lost, because the well-being of our guests is a top priority.

    “We appeal to corporate organisations and spirited individuals to partner and sponsor football clubs and make the round leather game much more lucrative as in other countries.

    “No doubt, air travels will help reduce strain on the players which will contribute to their mental and physical alertness for matches.”

    Dike assured of adequate security of players and officials during matches in the state and expressed hopes that football will enjoy improved funding.

  • NPFL: Resilient Remo Stars overtake Doma United

    NPFL: Resilient Remo Stars overtake Doma United

    Remo Stars have beaten Kwara United 2-0 to take over the leadership of the NPFL while Enyimba, Bendel Insurance and Plateau United all secured morale boosting wins to move to the fourth, fifth and sixth positions  after Matchday 13 games were concluded yesterday.

    Adedayo Olamilekan and Samad Kadiri scored for the Sky Blue Stars one in each half to return Daniel Ogunmodede-led side to the top they relinquished 24 hours earlier after Doma United dazed Kano Pillars 1-0. The Savannah Tigers dropped to the second spot with 25 points and are a point behind the league leaders.

    Lobi Stars slumped to the third spot following their 1-0 loss to Akwa United as Seyi Oguntayo’s 45th  minute strike proved to be a let off for Fatai Osho whose job was already on the line because of the Promise Keepers’ slow start to the season. 

    Akwa United slipped out of the relegation by the win. They are in 16th spot with 14 points. 

    Enyimba secured their eighth win over Abia Warriors to confirm  their status as  the champions of the Abia  derby.

    Enyimba’s  Eze Ekwutoziam and Chidiebere Nnachi with the goals in the 40th  and 58th  minute while Augustine Njoku reduced the deficit with a sublime finish in the 92nd  minute. 

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    The People’s Elephant who are the league’s reigning champions, have moved to the fourth spot with 22 points despite having a game at hand over the top three above them. Abia Warriors are now in the ninth spot with 17 points. 

    Bendel Insurance relied on fourth minute strike from the penalty spot converted by Taminu Benjamin to pip Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. 

    The Owena Whales defied the robbery attack on them on Thursday en route to the game to honour the fixture but their bravery  ended in a defeat as  Insurance  moved to  fifth position. .

    Plateau United defeated Niger Tornardoes 3-2 in Kaduna to earn their first away win of the season. They are in the sixth spot with 19 points from 12 games.

    At the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba, Ibadan, Shooting Stars were held to yet another draw for the second home game running by Katsina United. 

    The Changi Boys led by Bashir Sadauki scored first through Andrew Idoko in the 8th  minute but Taofeek Malomo  secured an equaliser seven minutes after the visitors’ goal.

    Shooting Stars have slipped to the seventh spot with 19 points while Katsina United are in the 15th position with 14 points.

    Bayelsa United were 2-0 winners over Enugu Rangers in Yenagoa. Kehinde Lawal got the opener for the Prosperity Boys in the 41st minute while Ekeson Okorie added the second 10 minutes from the full time. 

    The victory has taken Bayelsa United to the 17th  spot with 13 points while Rangers are in the 12th spot with 15 points.

    At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, Gombe United were truly at home beating Heartland FC 2-0 to end the latter’s two games unbeaten run. Abba Umar’s 26 seconds stunner unsettled the Naze Millionaires before Chijioke Alaekwe bagged the second goal in the 58th  minute.

  • NPFL: Doma United displace Lobi Stars to go top

    NPFL: Doma United displace Lobi Stars to go top

    • Akwa United, 3SC, Rivers United get home win
    • Heartland FC, Sunshine Stars secure draws

    Doma United have assumed the first position of the Nigeria Premier Football League table despite not being involved in a league game yesterday following Lobi Stars 1-0 loss to Enyimba in Aba in one of the Matchday Nine games.

    Doma United had beaten Plateau United 1-0 in Gombe on Saturday to stay in second but level on points and goals difference with Lobi Stars.

    Somairi Alalibo’s 88th minute header was enough to halt the resistance of the Pride of Benue who were beaten 1-0 by Enyimba.

    The defeat to Eugene Agagbe men meant they would drop to second spot while Doma United who are in their second season in the topflight, have moved to the top of the table with 17 points.

    Shooting Stars moved up to the third spot with 17 points also following a 1-0 home win over stubborn Kano Pillars at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. Kareem Ayinde with the all-important goal in the 53rd minute.

    It was a five goal thriller at the Eket Stadium, the home ground of Akwa United in their game with Remo Stars which was the first game to be broadcast by StarTimes.

    The Sky Blue Stars struck first through Sikiru Alimi who got his eighth goal of the season in the 15th minute but the Promise Keepers replied with three goals scored by Dare Ojo, Uche Collins and Ridwan Sadiq in the 23rd , 26th and 62nd minute.

    Remo Stars did pull another one back in the 78th minute through Aniekeme Okon who scored the consolatory goal against his former club.

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    Remo Stars dropped to the fourth spot by virtue of the loss with 15 points from eight games while Akwa United are in 17th spot with 10 points.

    Rangers International lost a great chance to return to the summit of the table after they were held to a goalless draw by desperate Katsina United. The Flying Antelopes are in the fifth spot with 15 points while the Chanji Boys are in the 10th spot with 12 points.

    At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, Sporting Lagos left it late before snatching a draw at home to Heartland FC.

    Ikechukwu Chinedu scored his second goal in second consecutive game to give the Naze Millionaires the lead in the 76th minute but the Noisy Lagosians equalised in the 97th minute through Jonathan Alukwu, who two seasons ago, was a player of Heartland FC.

    Sporting Lagos are in the eighth spot with 12 points while Heartland FC are still last with six points.

    Rivers United pipped Abia Warriors 2-1 to move to the ninth spot with 12 points as Alex Oyowah scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 40th minute before Ifeanyi Anaemena’s own goal doubled the hosts lead in the 82nd minute.

    Anaemena scored Abia Warriors solitary goal from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.

    Despite playing a 2-2 draw against Heartland FC in Owerri on Wednesday, Bayelsa United failed to consolidate on that impressive draw. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunshine Stars while Gombe United pipped Niger Tornadoes 1-0 through the goal of Abba Umar in the 13th minute.