In a crucial fixture for Doma United in the ongoing NPFL season, the Gombe side clinched a vital 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars, marking their first home win in the second stanza and boosting their fight to escape relegation. Usman Musa’s early strike proved decisive for the Tigers, as they managed to fend off a determined Lobi Stars side.

Doma United started the game with high intensity, with Charles Terwar and Bidemi Owoku persistently testing the visitors’ defense. However, despite their aggressive start, they struggled to capitalize on the opportunities they created.

The first real attempt of the game came early when Usman Musa picked up the ball from the center, advancing towards the goal before launching a long-range shot that went wide. Soon after, Bidemi Owoku attempted a left-footed shot from outside the box, but Lobi Stars’ keeper was well-positioned to make a save.

Lobi Stars also created chances, coming close to scoring in the 18th minute, but Doma United’s goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi, made a crucial save to deny the striker.

The breakthrough for Doma United came when Bidemi Owoku surged past his marker on the right wing and delivered a precise cross that Usman Musa headed in effortlessly, putting the hosts ahead.

Lobi Stars nearly equalized in the 70th minute, but Osayi was alert again, pushing the ball over for a corner kick. Despite a late surge from Lobi Stars, Doma United’s defense held firm, securing their vital home victory.

The match saw Samuel Matthew and Charles Terwar booked. At the same time, Doma United made several substitutions, bringing on Abubakar Abdullahi, Jacob Manga, Samuel Enefiok, and Tijani Kabiru for Hillary Ekawu, Charles Terwar, Emmanuel Jesam, and Usman Musa.

With this win, Doma United will focus on their next away encounter against Heartland in Owerri next weekend, aiming to build on this momentum and further their quest to avoid relegation.

Kano Pillars, fresh from their Federation Cup triumph against United at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, came into the game brimming with confidence. The home side dominated possession from the outset, forcing Doma United to defend deep and creating numerous chances. This early pressure paid off in the 14th minute when Ibrahim Mustapha headed in a corner from Rabiu Ali, igniting the nearly full Abacha Stadium crowd.

The hosts doubled their lead five minutes later with a quick long free-kick that caught Kingdom Osayi off his line, allowing Abubakar Ibrahim Babawo to slot home. Rabiu Ali continued to be a threat, with his volley being saved by Osayi as Pillars maintained their dominance heading into halftime.

Doma United, however, showed resilience in the second half. Usman Musa came close with a flick that was saved, and Adamu Umar Adah’s follow-up header was cleared off the line. The visitors’ first substitutions saw Tijani Kabiru and Emmanuel Jesam replaced by Abubakar Abdullahi and Samuel Enefiok, respectively, in an attempt to turn the tide.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 80th minute when Bidemi, who had been a constant threat, won a free-kick. Usman Musa stepped up and delivered a stunning strike to reduce the deficit to 2-1. United pushed hard for an equalizer, but their hopes were dashed in stoppage time. A clearance fell to Suleiman Idris, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from long range into the top-right corner, sealing a 3-1 victory for Kano Pillars.

Despite their best efforts, Doma United left Kano without any points and will now focus on their upcoming home clash against Lobi Stars, who suffered a 2-1 defeat against Akwa United.

The match started with Doma United displaying early dominance, spearheaded by Haruna Aliyu, who released Adamu Umar Adah down the left flank. However, his cross failed to find its target. The game unfolded with an exhilarating pace in the opening 10 minutes, with Kingdom Osayi making a notable save.

Jesam had a golden opportunity to put Doma United ahead after a brilliant setup by Sani Suleiman, but his volley missed the mark. Suleiman continued to trouble Kwara United’s defense with his mesmerizing moves, earning a freekick just outside the box, which unfortunately yielded no result for the home side.

As the first half drew to a close, Kwara United threatened on the counterattack, with Kingdom Osayi denying Kwara United’s attempt with a crucial save, ensuring both teams headed into halftime on level terms.

The second half saw Doma United making tactical changes early on, but it was Kwara United who seemed more in control of the game. Despite a big chance narrowly missing the target, Kwara United’s determination remained unwavering.

Doma United’s efforts to turn the tide saw further substitutions, but they struggled to penetrate Kwara United’s resolute defense. A close call ensued as Kwara United hit the crossbar, followed by Jesam’s missed opportunity from a corner kick.

As the clock winded down, Doma United pushed forward relentlessly, but Kwara United’s defense held firm. A late substitution for Doma United failed to alter the course of the game, ultimately ending in a stalemate.

With this result, Doma United finds themselves in 14th place on the league table with 39 points, intensifying their battle for survival. The league will now observe a month-long break, resuming action on the 26th of May as announced by the NPFL body.

United, going into the match positioned 13th on the league table following a disappointing draw against Remo Stars, faced a formidable Tornadoes side displaying early signs of dominance. Despite defensive resilience from Haruna Aliyu, Tornadoes broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Hussani Mohammed expertly converted a free-kick, beating Kingdom Osayi at the far post.

Determined to equalize, we showcased attacking intent, with Jesam’s thunderous free-kick narrowly denied by the Tornadoes’ goalkeeper. However, it was Tornadoes who doubled their lead in the 24th minute, as Bashiru Usman capitalized on a precise cross from the right, slotting the ball past Kingdom Osayi.

Undeterred, we pressed forward, with Charles Terwar and Emmanuel Jesam creating promising opportunities. Terwar’s efforts were thwarted by the agile Tornadoes’ goalkeeper on two occasions, leaving United frustrated at the halftime whistle.

The second half saw our boys intensify their offensive efforts, with Jesam and Sani Suleiman testing the Tornadoes’ defense. Suleiman’s brilliant free-kick forced a remarkable save, while Bilal Yakubu’s subsequent corner kick was met with another impressive stop from the Tornadoes’ goalkeeper.

Despite a late surge from United, including tactical substitutions by coach Bala Abubakar, Tornadoes held on to claim victory, leaving Doma United in 14th place on the league table with 38 points. Sani Suleiman received the only booking of the game.

As we looks ahead to our next home game against Kwara United, we will aim to bounce back and continue our fight for survival in the league.

The visitors came out of the gates with intent, applying early pressure on our defense and creating several promising opportunities. However, we stood firm, weathering the storm and denying any clear-cut chances.

Tijani Kabiru came close to breaking the deadlock for us, but his effort found the side netting after a fine save by Remo Stars’ goalkeeper, Charles Terwar, who prevented the ball from going out for a corner kick.

As the game progressed, our boys settled into their rhythm, dictating play and posing a constant threat through the likes of Charles Terwar and Tijani Kabiru. Terwar unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, only to be denied by a brilliant save by the Remo Stars’ keeper.

The away side almost took the lead from a well-worked corner kick, but their striker’s header rattled off the crossbar, much to the relief of the home fans.

However, it was Doma United who struck first blood just before halftime, as Majalisa converted a freekick awarded after Sani Suleiman was fouled. Despite the keeper’s initial save, Majalisa’s effort proved too hot to handle, giving the home side the lead heading into the break.

In the second half, Remo Stars continued to dominate possession and create chances, but Doma United’s defense held firm until the 90th minute when Nduka Junior found the back of the net with a close-range finish, breaking the hearts of the Doma United faithful.

Despite making some late changes, including the introduction of Jacob Manga and Abubakar Abdullahi, Doma United couldn’t find a winner and will now turn their attention to an upcoming away fixture against Nigeria Tornadoes on Sunday.

With the draw, Doma United remain in 13th place in the NPFL standings with 38 points, as they look to build momentum for the remainder of the season.

Doma United, who had recently clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Akwa United, displayed early promise against Plateau United. However, their aspirations were swiftly dashed in the 25th minute when a stroke of misfortune led to their downfall. Haruna Aliyu’s attempted clearance deflected off Plateau United’s Abdullahi Zalli, granting the hosts an early lead.

Plateau United capitalized on their momentum and doubled their advantage in the 35th minute. Daniel Barnabas, a former player of Doma United, capitalized on a goalkeeping error by Zalli, tapping in from close range after Zalli spilled the ball from a free-kick.

Trailing by two goals at halftime, Doma United made a double substitution at the start of the second half, bringing on Usman Musa and Charles Terwar in place of Hillary Ekawu and Samuel Enefiok respectively. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Plateau United struck again just a minute into the second half. Anthony Sunday rose highest to head in a long throw from Itodo, extending the home side’s lead to 3-0.

Despite sporadic chances for Doma United to claw their way back into the game, Plateau United remained resolute in defense. An excellent opportunity for the hosts to further widen the gap and shake up Manga’s challenge, but his effort sailed over the bar.

In a bid to inject fresh legs into their attack, Doma United made another substitution, with Sani Suleiman replacing Tijani Kabiru. However, Plateau United continued to dominate proceedings, coming close to adding to their tally on several occasions.

Doma United did not relent as Charles Terwar made a brilliant run down the left, but his weaker-footed shot was parried away by the Plateau United goalkeeper.

Plateau United sealed their emphatic victory in the dying moments of the game when Bernard Mundi unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, leaving Zalli with no chance as the ball soared into the net.

Despite the defeat, Doma United remains in 12th place on the league table with 37 points. Their next challenge will be against Remo Stars at the Pantami Stadium on April 13th, where they will seek to bounce back from this disappointing result and reignite their campaign in the NPFL.

“I will first of all give glory to God Almighty and the management of Doma United for the confidence they have in me most especially the club proprietor Alhaji Suleiman Umar. I feel very delighted yesterday with my first win that comes on the road. I’m happy with the fighting spirit and fantastic display by the players by adhering strictly to our match plan”.

Reflecting on his approach since joining the club, Abubakar highlighted his immediate assessment of the team’s strengths and areas for improvement. He emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing these aspects to ensure continued success “immediately I came in, I tried as much as possible to look at the team and I looked at areas I needed to work on, and also to look at how I’m supposed to work on them” Coach Bala said.

Addressing concerns about the absence of key players, Abubakar emphasized the significance of building a cohesive team rather than relying solely on individual talents. He stressed the importance of recruiting quality players and preparing the team collectively to achieve results. Bala said “If you always prepare your team around one or two individuals, you always have a problem. The essence of recruiting good players is to put them together, prepare them very well and get your result and we are able to do it”.

Abubakar’s positive start goes well for us as we look to build momentum under his leadership. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategic planning, the team aims to maintain its winning form in the next, buoyed by our new Technical Adviser’s vision and guidance.

The match kicked off with Doma United demonstrating their intent from the onset. Emmanuel Jesam, a constant thorn in Akwa United’s defense, capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home a goal from a tight angle in the 7th minute. The goal provided Doma United with an early lead, setting the tone for an enthralling contest.

Despite the setback, Akwa United gradually found their rhythm and started to assert themselves in the game. However, Doma United’s defense remained resolute, thwarting any attempts by the home side to find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Zalli showcased his prowess with crucial saves, including a remarkable effort to tip the ball over the bar, denying Akwa United a scoring opportunity.

As the first half progressed, Akwa United intensified their efforts to level the scoreline but were repeatedly frustrated by Doma United’s organized defense. The halftime whistle blew with Doma United maintaining their slender 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Doma United making a tactical substitution, with Charles Terwar replacing Usman Musa. Akwa United, desperate to salvage a result, launched waves of attacks, but Doma United’s backline held firm, repelling each offensive move with determination.

Despite Akwa United’s relentless pressure, Doma United remained resolute, with defenders Haruna Aliyu, Auwalu Abubakar, Saifullahi Yusuf, and Zakari Boyi showcasing exceptional defensive skills to keep the opposition at bay. Goalkeeper Zalli continued to excel between the posts, making crucial saves to preserve his team’s lead.

Doma United came close to extending their advantage when Charles Terwar breached Akwa United’s defense with a mazy run, but his cutback failed to find Emmanuel Jesam, leaving Doma United’s bench frustrated at the missed opportunity.

As the match entered its closing stages, Doma United utilized their substitutions wisely, introducing fresh legs to maintain their defensive solidity. Despite seven minutes of added time, Akwa United failed to find a breakthrough, as Doma United held on for a crucial away victory.

The final whistle signaled Doma United’s triumph, securing their second away win of the season and lifting them to 11th place in the league standings with 37 points. Doma United now look ahead to their next challenge against Plateau United at the New Jos Stadium on Saturday, April 6th, 2024.

In the words of our esteemed Chairman, Alh. Suleiman Umar, “The appointment of Coach Bala is imperative given our recent challenges in the second half of the season. We believe his extensive experience in managing teams within the league will significantly contribute to our objective of maintaining our status.”

Coach Bala brings a wealth of experience garnered from managing top-tier clubs in the league. His proven track record and tactical acumen make him the ideal candidate to lead our team forward.

It’s worth noting that Coach Bala will be collaborating closely with Coach Akinade Onigbinde and our dedicated coaching staff. We anticipate that their collective efforts will yield positive results on the field. We urge our entire coaching team to extend their utmost cooperation and support to Coach Bala as we strive to achieve our goals.

While we welcome constructive input from all stakeholders, we emphasize the importance of allowing our technical department to operate without undue interference. As reiterated by Chairman Alh. Suleiman Umar, “The technical department is not open to all, and we caution against unwarranted meddling as we remain focused on our objectives.”

We extend our best wishes to Coach Bala Abubakar Mohammed as he undertakes this crucial role. Together, we are committed to charting a successful path for Doma United Football Club.

Mark Malele
Head of Communication
Doma United Football Club

The match kicked off with Gombe United displaying early signs of intent, pressing forward and creating chances. Their efforts bore fruit in the 12th minute when David Nnaji capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball past Zalli to give Gombe United the lead.

However, Doma United fought back, with Tijani, Hillary, and Majalisa orchestrating attacks. They came close to equalizing from a freekick, but Majalisa’s effort narrowly missed the target.

Gombe United almost doubled their lead in the 21st minute, but a superb save from Zalli denied them. Doma United then launched a swift counterattack, only to be thwarted by a diving save from Yekini to maintain Gombe’s lead going into halftime.

After the break, Doma United made tactical changes, bringing on fresh legs in Auwalu Abubakar, Usman Musa, and Saifullahi Yusuf. The adjustments paid off as Doma United intensified their pressure on Gombe’s defense. In the 63rd minute, Usman Musa found the back of the net with a powerful strike, leveling the scoreline and injecting renewed energy into the game.

As the match progressed, both teams pushed for a winner. Gombe United had a promising freekick opportunity, but their effort sailed wide. The intensity of the game led to bookings for Doma United’s Nelson and Abubakar as tensions ran high.

Despite a late surge from Doma United, Gombe United held firm to secure a valuable point. The draw sees Gombe United move up to the 19th position on the league table with 24 points, while Doma United maintains their position in 13th place with 34 points.

Attention now turns to Doma United’s upcoming away fixtures against Akwa United and Plateau United, where they will look to capitalize on their recent performance and secure vital points.