Savannah Tigers Boost Top Three Finish with 2-1 Win Over Bayelsa United

Doma United 2-1 Bayelsa United
NPFL, Pantami Stadium, Sunday 23 April 2023, 4PM

Doma United secured a 2-1 victory over visiting Bayelsa United on Sunday to take a big step towards a top three finish in the Nigeria Premier Football League group B table.

Two goals early in the second half had the Tigers on their way to a hard-fought win, as Charles Chibuke chipped in a beauty to send the Pantami crowd into a rapturous celebration in the 53rd minutes of the game.

Bayelsa United pressed for a way back into the contest, but the home side were in clinical mood and Hillary tap home a second in the 68th minutes for his first goal of the season.

Hillary’s close tap in was the half cherry on the cake after Bidemi and Chibuke’s spectacular interplay that led to the second goal. Hillary released Bidemi on the right flank, Bidemi beats his marker and played the ball to Chibuke who flicks it with his back heel back to Bidemi and he sent in a low cross for Hillary to tap in for his first goal of the season.

Akinade Onigbinde made just two changes to the side that beat Wikki Tourist last week as Sani Shehu and Barnabas Daniel were drafted on the substitute bench in place of Jumbo Wisdom and Success Simon, looking to continue the positive momentum gathered in recent weeks.

Playing in front of a large Pantami crowd, the best early chance fell to Bayelsa United after a navy start for the home side but they held their nerves to find their way back into the game.

The chance fell to Eric whose shot was perfectly saved by Kingdom’s right hand for a corner kick and that was followed by another brilliant save by Kingdom who tipped over another thunderous shot from Bayelsa.

Doma United were effective with their defensive work and weathered that mini-storm to go into the break leveled with the visitors.

Samuel Matthew who was in total control of the midfield passed the ball to Hillary, and Hillary drove forward to beat his marker and he released a racing Chibuke who shrugged off the defence and chipped in beyond the keeper to put the home side in front.

Doma United remained on the hunt for more and a lovely move involving Hillary, Bidemi and Chibuke ended with Hillary tapping in the second for the Tigers in the 68th minute.

However, Bayelsa United pulled one back after Fabby Clark toed in to score a consolation for the visitors. They pushed for an equalizer but United’s defense was strong enough to hold it to the final minutes.

Bayelsa United – Ogunga kelvin, Saro Loveday, Adamu Yazid, Tinasa Scheriff, Gabril Biriduba, Edwin Ayiba, Stephen Wisdom, Alex Ayowah, Ekeson Okorie, Dufegha Eric, Robert Mizo,

Goals: Fabby Clark

Booked: Adamu Yazid

Doma United – Haruna Aliyu, Auwal Abubakar, Hilary Ekawu, Charles Chibuke, Usman Musa, Clement Junior, Bidemi Owoku, Saifullahi Yusuf, Andrew Majalisa, Samuel Matthew, Kingdom Osayi.

Goals: Charles Chibuke (53), Hillary Ekawu (68)

Booked: Charles Chibuke