Ibrahim Pius Joins Doma United Ahead of NPFL Return
ISSN: 2354-4481
By Jeff Onuegbu
Doma United have strengthened their goalkeeping department with the signing of experienced goalkeeper Ibrahim Pius following the expiration of his contract with Rivers United.
The 37-year-old shot-stopper joins the Gombe-based club on a free transfer as the Savannah Tigers prepare for their return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2026/27 season. The transfer was reported on August 11, 2026, with multiple football sources confirming the move.
Pius brings several years of top-flight experience to Doma United, having represented a number of established Nigerian clubs during his career. His recorded career path includes spells with Wikki Tourists, Abia Warriors, Plateau United, Katsina United and, most recently, Rivers United.
Available statistical records show that Pius has accumulated at least 91 NPFL appearances in the seasons documented by Flashscore, including 17 appearances for Wikki Tourists in 2019/20, 21 for Abia Warriors in 2021/22, two for Plateau United in 2022/23, 17 for Katsina United in 2023/24 and five for Rivers United in 2024/25. The database notes that older historical records may be incomplete.
Other reports put his overall NPFL experience at more than 100 appearances, a figure that may reflect matches not fully captured in the available statistical databases. His longevity in the Nigerian top flight nevertheless underlines the experience he is expected to provide to Doma United's defence.
Pius' profile is also supported by ESPN, which lists him as a Nigerian goalkeeper born on January 22, 1989, and records his association with several Nigerian professional clubs, including Rivers United, Abia Warriors, Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Katsina United, Wikki Tourists and others.
His arrival comes at an important moment for Doma United, who secured promotion back to the NPFL after winning Conference C of the 2025/26 Nigeria National League campaign.
The Gombe side confirmed promotion on March 27, 2026, after defeating Mighty Jets of Jos 2-0 at the Pantami Stadium. At the time, Doma United had 26 points from 13 matches and became the first club to seal promotion to the NPFL under the new NNL conference system.
Doma United's return to the top flight comes two seasons after the club was relegated at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. The club had previously earned promotion to the NPFL in 2022 and established itself in the top division before suffering relegation.
The club, based in Gombe and popularly known as the Savannah Tigers, plays its home matches at the 12,000-capacity Pantami Stadium. The return of top-flight football to Gombe has generated renewed interest among football supporters in the state, with Doma United now preparing to compete against some of the country's leading clubs once again.
Pius is therefore expected to play an important role as Doma United seek stability and experience in their campaign to remain in the NPFL.
The Savannah Tigers will begin their 2026/27 NPFL campaign at home against Sporting Lagos. The fixture will provide Pius and his new teammates with their first competitive test as Doma United resume life in Nigeria's top division.
With his extensive experience across several NPFL clubs, Pius' signing represents a calculated move by Doma United to add maturity and competition to the squad as the club begins another chapter in its top-flight journey.
