Can Pillars Halt Doma Utd’s Eight-game Unbeaten Run?

Kunle Adewale

Doma United eight-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Premier Football League will be put to test this weekend as the coach Akinade Onigbinde tutored side welcome high-flying Kano Pillars to the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

The Savannah Tigers stretched the undefeated run to eight midweek with a goalless draw against Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, with Coach Onigbinde claiming his side’s draw was well-ochestrated.

Onigbinde stated that the plan was to extend the team’s unbeaten run, adding that the result means a lot to the team’s continental aspirations.

He also commended goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi for his impressive performance in the game.

“It was a good game, and the result came out exactly as we wished,” he said in a post-match interview.

“Ahead of our visit, we studied Kwara United and worked on their weaknesses and strengths, knowing full well that they are one of the best sides in the league.

“Our target was to qualify for the continental competition, and picking a point this way, especially on away ground, will assist our course in the long run.”

However, Doma United will have to be at their best to upstage Pillars who have only tasted a defeat in their last five games, winning three and drawing one in the process.

Interestingly, Pillars are no stranger to the Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe as it was there they defeated Gombe United penultimate Sunday.

Therefore, the Savannah Tigers would also have to be mindful of Pillars’ winger, Yusuf Abdullahi, who singlehandedly put five behind Gombe United’s goalkeeper, a feat Coach Abdullahi Maikaba has hailed.

Maikaba said he was particularly happy that one of his young players scored all five goals after several attempts at scoring in previous matches.

“My happiness is that one of the brilliant talents that is coming up in Nigeria has scored all the five goals. It is a wonderful day for Kano pillars, me and my team,” he said.

“I have been telling him that first goal is the key. If he can get his first goal, it will motivate him to score more.

“I am happy that his first goal geared him up to get four more in just one match,” Maikaba said.

Doma  are currently in third position on the table with 22 points, while Pillars are fourth with 19 points with the same number of matches played.