Yusuf Fantami scored the decisive goal as Doma United secured a 1-0 victory over Inter Lagos in a fiercely contested Nigeria National League Super 4 encounter on Monday night in Ikenne, PUNCH Online reports.
Played under floodlights at the Remo Stars Stadium, the match was marked by intensity, physical battles and late drama, with both sides demonstrating the quality that earned them promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
The decisive moment came in the 19th minute when Doma United produced a well-worked attacking move to break through the Inter Lagos defence.
Fantami rose highest inside the penalty area to head home with precision, giving his side a lead they would not relinquish.
Inter Lagos responded with attacking intent, and both teams created opportunities in an end-to-end contest, but neither side was able to add to the scoreline as defensive organisation proved decisive.
The game took a dramatic turn in the closing stages when tensions escalated on the pitch.
The Lagosians were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute after Damilare Adigun was sent off for an elbow, before Doma United’s Kennedy Osemudiamen was also dismissed shortly afterwards for unsporting behaviour, leaving both teams to finish the match a player short.
Despite the late disruptions, Doma United remained composed to see out the result and secure a hard-fought victory, moving level on points with Sporting Lagos, who had earlier defeated Ranchers Bees in the opening fixture.
Adams Simbad was named Man of the Match after an influential performance, controlling play and contributing significantly to his side’s success from defence.
Reacting after the game, the centre-back expressed his satisfaction with both the award and the team’s result, while emphasising their ambition to win the tournament.
“Words cannot express how happy I am to pick up this award, but the most important thing is the victory we achieved today,” Simbad said.
“We are here in Ikenne to win the title, and we will keep pushing to make that happen.”
All four teams in the Super 4 have already secured promotion to the top flight of the NPFL, but the competition continues to determine the overall champions, with Doma United’s victory setting up a closely contested race for the title.
Action will continue on matchday two of the round-robin tournament at the Remo Stars Stadium on Wednesday, when the two losing teams from day one, Inter Lagos and Ranchers Bees, face off in the opening fixture, while Doma United lock horns with Sporting Lagos in a bid to move a step closer to the second-tier title.
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