Doma United, the newly promoted club from the Nigeria Premier Football League, have named seasoned coach Deji Ayeni as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Known as the Savannah Tigers, the Gombe-based side have moved to bring in Ayeni to spearhead their push to return to the country’s top tier and, crucially, to establish themselves firmly among Nigeria’s leading teams rather than treating survival as the only target.
Ayeni arrives with significant NPFL background, having previously led Sunshine Stars, Akwa United, Crown FC and Enyimba. His time at Sunshine Stars in particular stands out, with the coach credited for steering the Akure outfit away from a period of serious relegation concern. He then took charge of Akwa United, where he kept the club’s league form steady and later earned the NPFL Coach of the Month award in April 2022. Across those spells, Ayeni’s record has been marked by consistency, posting an average of more than 1.5 points per match.
At his official unveiling, Ayeni voiced optimism about the assignment and the direction of the project.
“I am honored to be part of this ambitious project. Doma United have shown great desire to succeed, and together with the players, management, and supporters, we will work hard to achieve our objectives,” he said.
Doma United’s leadership view Ayeni’s coaching pedigree as further evidence of the club’s intent to do more than simply remain in the top flight. With preparations for the new campaign already underway, supporters will be eager to see how the experienced tactician shapes the squad and prepares them to challenge the league’s established heavyweights.
