The 2023 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League is already thirteen matchdays old. Defending champions Rivers United in Group B have only tasted one defeat this season and Uyo outfit Dakkada Football Club are sitting at the summit of the group.
For those unaware, the current campaign is already turning out to be rather unpredictable with teams battling to finish in the top three of both Group A & B.
There have already been plenty of goals and staunch defensive performances and we expect to see more on matchday thirteen which kick-starts with actions in two venues.
Here, we will be taking a look at five players who could claim the upcoming matchday in Uyo when Dakkada play host to high-flying Doma United.
#𝟱 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱) 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿:
The Nigeria Premier Football League has some exceptional talents at its disposal. However, very few can match the exuberance and charisma of Doma United midfielder Samuel Matthew. Since joining the club before the beginning of the season on Bosman transfer, Samuel has completely settled in and is regularly contributing with assists in the midfield.
Samuel is currently one of the best tacklers in the Nigeria topflight division and was a devastating force in Doma United’s recent win against Niger Tornadoes, providing two goalscoring chances in the 2-1 victory.
He has been the much-needed linchpin for the Savannah Scorpions this season and has been a vital part of Akinade Onigbinde’s midfield trio alongside Hilary Ekawu and Clement Junior and that should be a good reason to count him in against Dakkada this Saturday.
#𝟰 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗢𝘄𝗼𝗸𝘂 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱) 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿:
Samuel Owoku is the undisputed star of Doma’s new famed front-trio. Usman Musa and Daniel Barnabas are capable, of course, but it is the Owoku who usually comes up with the goods.
The talented Owoku is a quick-footed winger who is equally adept at scoring as well as providing assists. And on Saturday at Dakkada, the Savannah Scorpions are likely to need both of Owoku’s qualities.
The winger who is capable of operating on either flanks is still not at his absolute best yet but an impressive performance at Dakkada could induce more confidence in his play.
#𝟯 𝗞𝘂𝗳𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗗𝗮𝗸𝗸𝗮𝗱𝗮) 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗿:
For a small period during the start of the season, Ebong emerged as one of the League’s best strikers. With a goal from his first three games, he was supposedly taking the top-flight by storm and made the Uyo club one of the most exciting sides in the NPFL.
Anyone would be worried if their top striker suddenly stopped scoring. However, Dakkada boss Danladi Umar can now count on Ebong who has now returned to full fitness and appear sharp in front of goal.
Ebong will be the hosts’ target man as he looks poised to add more to his tally this weekend.
#𝟮 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗸𝗮𝘄𝘂 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱) 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿:
For all of their attacking exploits, so much of Doma United’s success comes from the dynamic Hilary Ekawu shielding their back-four alongside Samuel Matthew in the middle. Simply put, when Ekawu is at his best, Doma United are a significantly better football team.
And not satisfied with his usual mix of defensive solidity and precise passing, Hilary Ekawu has even become a threat in the opponent’s box.
He sets up a whole lot of Doma United goals through his build-up plays but is yet to register a goal this season.
#𝟭 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶 (𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱) 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿:
The Nigerian shotstopper is arguably one of the most in-form goalkeepers in the Nigeria Premier Football League right now and his presence in goal has been significant for Doma United.
Osayi has kept four clean sheets in the league this season.
It can be stated that his decent performance in goal is one of the reasons why Doma United are thriving in NPFL in their debut season and it will be interesting to see if he remains consistent this weekend against Dakkada in Uyo.
