Doma United coach Akinade Onigbinde admitted Remo Stars duo Sikiri Alimi and Ismail Sodiq gave him sleepless nights ahead of their goalless draw in the Nigeria Premier Football League match-day 10 encounter in Ikenne on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Savannah Tigers were able to curtail Alimi who is on eight goals and Sodiq who has also made eight assists this season for Remo Stars and earned a precious point against the Sky Blue Stars.
While Sodiq was prevented from delivering his deadly crosses, Alimi had a number of chances to take his tally to nine this season but he was denied at every point by Doma United keeper Kingdom Osayi.
“Honestly, I’ve not been sleeping. I’ve been watching their matches day and night and I thought of a way to stop them. We didn’t set up to defend wholly but I told my defensive midfielders to assist the centre backs to prevent Alimi from operating inside our box,” Onigbinde said after the game.
“We are satisfied. Our game plan was either a draw or a win and the boys played according to the plan.”
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars have reclaimed the top spot in the table after their hard-fought 2-1 win over 3SC in Lafia. Orji Kalu’s 84th-minute penalty did the job for the Makurdi side after Gideon Monday had cancelled out Waheed Adebayo’s opener.
The defeat leaves 3SC in third with 17 points, behind Doma United who have 18 points from 10 matches each.
Amas Obasogie saved Rabiu Alli’s 13th minute penalty as Bendel Insurance ended Kano Pillars 100 per cent home record with a goalless draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano just as Bayelsa United forced Katsina United to a 1-1 draw at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors secured a 1-0 victory over Enugu Rangers in an oriental derby just as a first-half goal by Moses Omodumueke ensured Sunshine Stars beat Sporting Lagos 1-0 in a newly installed southwest derby.
Niger Tornadoes also moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Akwa United even as Kwara United beat Gombe United 2-0 in Ilorin.
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