Doma United FC head coach Najib Mabo has made his priorities clear ahead of the NNL Super 4 trophies over money.
“I’m not playing for the money. I’m playing to be crowned champion,” Mabo said during an interview on PrimeSports Radio 104.9 FM Enugu.
“If you are crowned champion, your name will be written in history… In 50, 100 years, your name will still be there.”
Doma United’s journey this season has been one of redemption. The Gombe based side secured promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League after a 2–0 win over Mighty Jets.
Now, having achieved their primary objective, attention has shifted firmly to the NNL Super 4 title.
“The first goal was promotion. Now the next is the title,” Mabo had previously stated and his tone has not changed.
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The Super 4 brings together champions from Conferences A to D, with Sporting Lagos FC, Inter Lagos FC, and Ranchers Bees FC completing the lineup.
“The Super 4 will be very, very interesting because it’s all about champions… no match will be easy,” he said.
Doma United squad. Photocredit: Doma Media team
Doma United open their campaign against Inter Lagos, and the coach is taking a measured approach.
“You take it one match at a time. For now, our focus is Inter Lagos. We want to win and I’m sure they also want to win.”
Despite suggestions that his side scored fewer goals compared to other teams, Mabo firmly rejected the idea that Doma United lack attacking threat.
“We had fewer matches in our conference. If you check properly, we scored 3–1, 2–0, 2–0… the boys did very, very well,” he explained.
Preparation has been deliberate and structured. The team has remained in Gombe, playing friendly matches to sharpen fitness and cohesion ahead of the tournament.
“The spirit is high. We don’t have injury problems. All our players are ready,” he added. “In one word we are ready.”
While the tournament offers financial incentives ₦2 million participation fee and ₦10 million for the winner Mabo insists legacy outweighs short term gain.
“Money is important, yes. But the most important thing is to win the Super 4,” he said. “It’s about history.”
This year’s NNL Super 4, set to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium from May 1 to May 8 with all four participating clubs privately owned, signaling a shift towards private clubs’ dominance.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing three matches placing a premium on consistency.
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Super 4 Fixtures
Matchday 1 — May 4
Sporting Lagos vs Ranchers Bees* Doma United vs Inter Lagos
Matchday 2 — May 6
Ranchers Bees vs Inter Lagos Sporting Lagos vs Doma United
Matchday 3 — May 8
Doma United vs Ranchers Bees* Inter Lagos vs Sporting Lagos
The winner will succeed Warri Wolves FC as champions of the Nigeria National League.
