Pillars return to Gombe for in-form Doma United

Aweek after their resounding 5-2 victory over Gombe United, former Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars will return to Gombe this weekend to take on high riding Doma United in one of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) week 13 matches.

It will be recalled that before their midweek 1-0 win over Akwa United at home, Pillars’ youngster, Yusuf Abdullahi, scored all five goals as the ‘masu gida’ boys thrashed Gombe United 5-2 in the week 11 fixture at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

Sunday’s tie, therefore, offers Pillars the opportunity to win again against another Gombe based NPFL club but it is not going to be a stroll in the park for the Abdul Maikaba led side as Doma United who are currently third on the log are a hard nut to crack.

Doma United coach, Akinade Onigbinde, is optimistic of victory against Pillars.

“We are ready to take the fight to our more illustrious opponents. Pillars are among the best clubs in the NPFL and we respect them.

“However, we are equal to the task because we have shown our capacity to hurt any team that takes us for granted. We are aware of what played out between them and our sister club, Gombe United.

“I doubt if Pillars will be twice lucky in Gombe. We are going for the maximum points,” he said.

In another week 13 match, table topping Remo Stars will welcome Kwara United, Insurance take on Sunshine Stars in Benin City, Rangers will travel to Yenagoa to keep a date with Bayelsa United while 3SC host Katsina United in Ibadan.

There will be an ‘oriental derby’ in Aba where Enyimba battle local rivals Abia Warriors, second placed Lobi Stars visit embattled Akwa United, struggling clubs, Gombe United and Heartland slug it out in Gombe while coach Hamza Abara leads Niger Tornadoes to his former club, Plateau United.

The match between Sporting Lagos and Rivers United has been postponed due to the latter’s continental engagement.