By Adamu Usman Ahmed in Gombe
In an intense Matchday 11 fixture of the Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League played under closed-door and sunny weather conditions at the Pantami Stadium, Doma United and Ikorodu City shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday.
Captain fantastic Bitrus Philemon cemented his hero status for the hosts, heading home a dramatic 97th-minute equalizer to complete a brace for himself and rescue a point for the Savannah Tigers after a spirited second-half comeback by the visiting Oga Boys.
An action-packed first half playing behind closed doors did little to dampen the intensity on the pitch. Doma United started aggressively, with the club’s highest goalscorer with five goals so far Sadiq Rilwan testing Ikorodu City goalkeeper Faisal Umar as early as the second minute into the encounter.
Minutes later, the visitors thought they had broken the deadlock when Donald Obiajulu found the back of the net, only for the assistant referee’s flag to cut short the celebrations for offside.
The breakthrough finally arrived for the host in the 16th minute when Tijjani Azeez pounced on a loose defensive back-pass, cleverly bypassed the onrushing goalkeeper Faisal Umar, and was brought down inside the box.
The referee did not hesitate to point to the spot, and captain Bitrus Philemon stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to put Doma United 1-0 up in the 19th minute.
Ikorodu City responded with character, equalizing just five minutes later through Tomiwa Awojobi, who unleashed a sublime strike from outside the box past Emmanuel Adayilo to level the scores at 1-1 heading into the break.
The battle Intensified after the restart as both managers shuffled their packs. Doma’s Deji Ayeni introduced fresh legs with Haruna Abubakar replacing Raheed Usman, while Ikorodu’s Washington Egor brought on Olumide Akinwande and Justice Torbira.
As the tension mounted, Doma’s captain Philemon entered the referee’s book for a tactical foul on Awojobi in the 56th minute. Doma also suffered a setback in the 65th minute when midfielder Uche Onwuasoanya was forced off injured, making way for Daniel Simon.
Despite both sides trading chances including a long-range effort from host’s Chigoziem safely gathered by Faisal Umar, it was the visitors who struck a massive blow late in the game.
In the 85th minute, Ujunwa Onyekeche Elijah produced a piece of brilliant individual skill, dancing past the Doma goalkeeper before calmly slotting home to give Ikorodu City a 2-1 lead.
The intense beginning live up to expectation with a dramatic last moments with seven minutes of added time signaling hope for the hosts, Doma United threw everything forward.
Deep into stoppage time in the 97th minute, the pressure finally paid off. Following a corner kick delivered into the area, Philemon rose highest above the pack to steer a brilliant header past the goalkeeper, sending the Doma bench into wild celebrations and sealing a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
Up next for the two sides. Ikorodu City will host city rivals Inter Lagos while Doma United will be on road to Umuahia for a date with Abia Warriors for Matcday 12 respectively.
MATCH DETAILS SUMMARY
Venue:
Pantami Stadium, Gombe (Closed Doors)
Date:
31st October, 2026
Final Score:
Doma United 2–2 Ikorodu City
Goalscorers:
Doma United: Bitrus Philemon (19′ pen, 9′)
Ikorodu City: Tomiwa Awojobi (22′), Ujunwa Onyekeche Elijah (85′)