Doma United’s experienced player, Ogbobe Clement Junior, has said the impressive performances of the ‘Savannah Tigers’ in the current Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season have silenced many doubters and critics of the NPFL debutants. In this interview with Trust Sports, the former junior international spoke on life in the NPFL with Doma United, positive changes in the league, the target in the ongoing season and his future plans.
How satisfied are you with the performance of Doma United in the ongoing NPFL season?
Actually, I will say I am satisfied with what we have achieved so far considering that this is our debut season in the Nigerian topflight. When we qualified to play in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), only a few people gave us a chance. However, by the special grace of God and hard work; we are actually exceeding all expectations in the way we play and the results we have recorded so far. This is not to say we are completely satisfied. We are not getting complacent because there is always room for improvement.
What is the main target for Doma United this season?
Our target is to qualify for the Super Six playoff. As you are aware, the current season is abridged so in the end, only the top three teams in each of the two groups will qualify to play in the Super Six where the league winners and two other continental representatives would emerge. That is where we want to be at the end of the season. With the way we are playing, I won’t be surprised if we end up winning the title.
Considering that this is Doma United’s first season in the NPFL, don’t you think your are asking for too much?
I don’t think we are asking for too much and what we are dreaming of is achievable. It is not going to be the first time that a newly promoted club would win the league at the first time of asking. I remember Leicester City did the same thing in the English Premiership. They got promoted and shocked bookmakers by winning the EPFL title the same year. They even did very well in the UEFA Champions League. So, I can say Doma United is inspired by the historic deed of Leicester City in the Premiership.
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Doma United is privately owned, so how much support are you enjoying from the proprietor of the club?
I give all thanks to God who is the author and finisher of everything. God has been using our proprietor to help the club. He is like a father, a mentor and an ever present help in time of need. His support has contributed more than 80% to our success. I, therefore, say kudos to the proprietor of Doma United whose unwavering support for the club is worthy of emulation by the government owned clubs.
But Doma United somehow struggled at the beginning of the season. What would you say was responsible?
To be honest with you, fatigue played a negative role in our performance in the first round. We had congested fixtures and the long trips to play midweek matches didn’t help matters at all. Imagine, we played in Gombe on Sunday and then traveled down to Yenagoa to play Bayelsa United on Wednesday. We travel by road and considering the fact that the roads in Nigeria are in deplorable conditions, it was not easy to cope with the stress. Thank God the pressure has subsided now that we are playing mostly at the weekends.
Doma United drew their opening match of the season at home against Sunshine Stars; how were you able to overcome the initial setback?
It wasn’t difficult for us to maintain our confidence because we knew that we didn’t play badly in that match. We did very well but conceded in extra time due to a mistake we could have avoided. It was a painful mistake but we learnt from it. There was no need to panic because we knew that we played better than our more experienced opponents.
Which of the matches would you say were Doma United’s toughest encounters so far?
Without a doubt, I will say our matches against Rivers United and Lobi Stars were very difficult. But the most difficult of them all was our home match against Rivers United. As defending champions, they hadn’t lost a match so only a few people gave us a chance. And when the match started, they took the lead but we fought back to win 2-1. I will say that resounding victory over Rivers United was the turning point in our performance this season. We used the match to silence our critics permanently. Those who thought we were only a joke repented immediately. Beginning from the match, we have not looked back. We also took down Lobi Stars in the return fixture. Those were very tough matches that changed our story.
What is your assessment of the organisation of this year’s NPFL?
Yeah, I have been around long enough to recognise the fact that there is so much improvement in the league. The new organisers are doing their best especially in the area of officiating. Now it is possible for even smaller clubs to win away against their bigger opponents. And their handling of irate fans is also commendable. I pray they will sustain the momentum.
Any areas you want them to improve on?
Yes, I think we need to do more to minimise the stress we face when traveling to honour away matches. Air travel should be made mandatory for any trip that will take more than eight hours by road. When I played in Oman, it was compulsory to travel by air to any match venue that was more than five hours and their roads are better than ours.
How did you start your football career?
Although I am from Enugu State, I was born and bred in Abuja so I started my career in FOSLA Academy where my talent was developed. I then played for the National U-13 and U-15 teams under Coach Haruna Ilerika. I was also a member of the Golden Eaglets of 2013. I travelled with the team to Dubai but sustained an injury that ruled me out of the World Championship. I then joined EFCC FC where I began my professional career. From EFCC Abuja I moved to Remo Stars but returned to EFCC when I was to travel to Sweden for trials. I ended up traveling to Oman where I played briefly for Muscat Club Oman. It was from there that I returned home to sign for Doma United.
What is your ultimate ambition in your chosen career?
I will say I came close to representing Nigeria at the 2013 World Championship with the Golden Eaglets but it didn’t work out so, my next target is to play for the Super Eagles. But before then, I will work so hard to achieve my other dream of playing in the English Premiership for either Arsenal or Manchester City. This is no doubt a tall dream but with God, all things are possible.
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