Domes United who missed out of promotion at the Super 8 in Asaba last season would like to add some cherry to their fulfilled ambition on a neutral ground against Lagos elites Inter Lagos in Ogun State in the second match of the Super 4.
The Gombe based side have remained resolute, a reflection of owner Sulaiman Umar in carving a niche for their brand of football under the close watch of Coach Najib Mabo.
Najib, the scion of the famed tactician, Ismaila Mabo only took control at the beginning of the season from Akinade Onigbinde and he has been able to forge a team whose performance in Conference C has been imperious.
Their season record after 14 matches stands at: W8, D2, L4, GF18,GA 11, Pts26.
The Desert Scorpions aimed and got the promotion ticket with the likes of forward Matthew Ogenyi leading the line.
Ogenyi was able to sting their rivals with his six goals and was a provider with three assists as they confirmed their NPFL status with two game to spare.
“Mostly, I adopt the 4-3-3 & 4-4-2 formation. My philosophy goes according to the materials I have on ground”, said Mabo, “But if some of my players are injured of serving suspension, I can come up with a formation that will give us the needed result.
These are the formations I used in the 14 league matches we played and it was productive.”
“We endured topping the log for several weeks without dropping therefore we shall finish the job smoothly to be crown as NNL champions by God grace” he emphasised.
Team Captain Benedict Adikwu will hope to shutdown their rivals when the two sides clash in the Super 4.
Standing as their first hurdle are Inter Lagos who have experienced gaffer Shakiru Giwa as their general on the sideline.
The club with the vibes will be relishing the opportunity of facing their adversary at a neutral ground.
Goal-monger Bayo Oyedele is quite on ground and he will be tasked with the duties of hitting the Desert Scorpions where it hurts.
The former Remo Stars man may find his old hunting ground good for his course as he planned to add to his current league tally of nine goals from 11matches.
He revealed the influence the Coach have on the team.
“People didn’t really give us that chance. Like I usually say, and I stick to this word, the vision is possible because I believe we can achieve this promotion. The head Coach, Mr. Shakiru Giwa, from the onset, he said he was going to promote the team.
“I don’t know where he got that vision from, but he was so sure we were going to get a promotion. Thank God, we did. We did with the effort of the players, the coach, the management, the backroom staff, everyone has a hand in this promotion.”
He remained convinced that their underdog status would be their major motivation going into the tie against their rivals.
“We will do our best. We don’t want to put ourselves on the spot, but we know we are good enough to go.”
For the neutrals, the second match on Day One will be another reason to believe that the NNL title race has just begun.
