First NPFL Goal Excites Hillary
Doma United’s togetherness and fight was on the full display during the 2-1 victory over Bayelsa United at the Pantami Stadium on Sunday after Hillary Ekawu bagged in a goal and an assist.
The Tigers had to wait for the second half before finding a breakthrough, after Hillary Ekawu put Chibuke Charles through with a beautiful through pass and he made no mistake by clipping the ball over the keeper to put United ahead in the 53rd minutes of the game.
United took total control of the game and created some clear-cut chances but it was in the 68th minutes that a moment Hillary has been waiting for, all season long arrived for his first goal of this campaign.
The forward-thinking midfielder releases Bidemi on the far-right side of the field and Bidemi pass the ball to Chibuke who flicks it back to Bidemi with his back heel and Bidemi crosses the ball to find Hillary who tapped in for his first goal of the season and extended United’s lead.
“I am very happy I must say, it is a wonderful feeling for me because I have been very expectant of this goal for many games now. And the fans have also been asking when will I score, but I keep telling them that the goal will definitely come at the right time. Thank God this is the right time and I am extremely happy to have scored my first goal in the NPFL.”
On Doma United’s position on the log, Hillary said that is just a strong statement to other teams “That is just a message to other teams. Doma United is not an underdog as they are thinking. We have come to make a difference in the league, we are not just there for the sake of been there, we want to stay up here and play in the super six”
With three more games to round the season, the midfield maestro predicted Doma United to push for a finish first or second “Doma United will finish on the log, but we if failed to finish first, I feel we are going to maintain this second position.”
Hillary however praised the Chairman of the Club, Alh. Suleiman Umar, Technical crew, fans and his team mates for their efforts “the fans are always there to motivate us, the technical crew are doing their job also. And we will not forget our chairman also, because he is doing everything, he can for us. He has been our motivator as players. He follows the matches and talk to us when need be. And our match bonuses are always coming in time. So, that gives so much energy and we feel encouraged to play well and give the fans something to take home”.
Meanwhile, Hillary looked stunned and couldn’t celebrate his goal and he was asked if he wasn’t expecting the goal “I couldn’t find a perfect way to celebrate the goal, I’ve been expecting the goal for such a very long time and today it came I was stunned”.
Hillary is one of the few players that have all matches as he has played 15 games so far for Doma United in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League 2022/2023 season
