Are Clean-sheet kings Doma United FC 2023/2024 NPFL title contenders or Pretenders
Doma United FC have made a flying start to the 2023/2024 NPFL season, occupying 3rd spot after twelve games and keeping ten cleen-sheets during this time.
In this article, CARETAKER xrays, the title credentials of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League clean-sheet kings: Are they contenders or pretenders.
DOMA UNITED FC IN THE NPFL
Doma United FC is playing only its second season in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
The Savannah Tigers earned promotion to the top-flight at the end of the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League season.
Prior to its promotion, the club was little-known and so when news broke that the club will sell its top-flight status to Kano Pillars who suffered NPFL relegation in 2021/2022, many looked upon Doma as a lightweights.
In a ‘we are here for serious business ‘ response, Doma United rejected all NPFL status sale advances.
Not only did they make their NPFL debut in the 2022/2023 season, the club came very close to inking a Super Six playoff spot, in a season they were tipped to suffer relegation back to the NNL.
THE SURPRISE CONTINUES
Ahead of kickoff for the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season, Doma United FC were again considered as one of the teams that will battle for survival but after the first quater of games, the reverse is the case.
A sight of Doma United FC sizing Lobi Stars and Remo Stars Sports Club for top-spot in the NPFL is a surprise to many.
Doma United FC have secured twenty-two points from twelve games to sit third, one point adrift of first-placed Remo Stars.
CAN THEY KEEP THE MOMENTUM TO WIN THE TITLE
For a team that has conceded in just two of twelve games this season, Doma United FC have proven that they are no pushovers.
The leagues big boys, Enyimba FC, Akwa United FC, Plateau United FC, Remo Stars and others have tested and can testify to how solid the Savannah Tigers are.
Pantami Stadium neighbours, Gombe United got spanked 0-3 on November 5, reigning champions Enyimba FC fell 1-0, Akwa United FC were shot-down 1-0 while Remo Stars could not break the resolute Doma United FC backline in Ikenne as it ended 0-0.
Interestingly, the Savannah Tigers have not lost or conceded any goal since a 3-1 loss to Shooting Stars on October 29, a run of eight games without defeat and 720 minutes without concedding a goal is remarkable and cannot be overlooked.
Doma United FC can go all the way to win the NPFL title or at least book a continental ticket but that will be heavily dependent on the form of goalkeeper, Osayi Kingdom and the defence-line plus the raving goal-scoring boots of Nelson Abiam.
Goalkeeper Osayi Kingdom according to reports is on the Super Eagles radar for his superlative performances which is currently taking the Savannah Tigers to another level.
THE MASTER PLANNER
Coach Akinade Onigbinde is the master planner for Doma United’s meteoric rise from Premier League new-boys, to title-contenders.
The gaffer however is not dreaming of a title win just yet.
After their most recent league game, a 0-0 away draw vs Kwara United FC in Ilorin, Onigbinde mentioned he is targeting a continental spot at the end of the season.
” 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 fully well that they are one of the best sides in the league.
“Our target is to qualify for the continental competition, and picking a point this way, especially on away ground, will assist our course in the long run.”
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you think Doma United can win the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League title ?
Drop your thoughts in the comment section.
