By Ahmad Elnafaty
Doma United’s remarkable winning streak stretched to nine games, after Akinade Onigbinde guided his men to secure a 1-0 win against Abdu Maikaba and his Kano Pillars side at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe in Saturday’s only game in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Four-time NPFL champions Kano Pillars rolled into town on the back of their previous visit in which they dispatched Doma United’s city rivals, Gombe United 5-2 nine days earlier.
High-flying Doma United were unfazed by that performance and quickly flew out of the blocks after referee Promise Amadi signalled the kick-off. At the outset, Doma United in a bid to play a high-press were caught out in the opening stages and were fortunate not to fall behind, as their goalkeeper Osayi Kingdom produced two fine stops to deny Mustapha Jibrin and Rabiu Ali.
Emmanuel Ekpeyong scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 11th minute. After 45 minutes of work, things moved into another gear in the match as Usman Fahad received a second yellow for unsportsmanlike conduct and it meant Kano Pillars had to finish the second half with a man light.
Only three points and two places separated the two sides before the evening contest, and there was similarly little to separate them on the pitch. But any attacking impetus came from Doma United and they again came close on the hour mark, when Bidemi Owoku worked a yard out in the box and curled a right-footed effort inches off the post.
There was more than just three points on the line for Doma United boss Akinade, who had never beaten Maikaba in their previous meetings in the dugout prior to this game.
Before they had a man to their advantage, Doma United pressed forward in a bid to extend their lead and came close to doing so when Emmanuel Jesam fired the ball over the bar from the spot on 21 minutes.
Doma United did not show any sign of letting up, and came within a lick of paint of wrapping up the points in the closing minutes when Owoku dribbled past an opponent and sent a shot which Kano Pillars goalkeeper, Muhammad Galadima saved. Ultimately, the one goal was enough for Doma United, who reclaim the top spot until Lobi Stars and Remo Stars who occupied the summit at different times play on Sunday.