In a thrilling encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars FC, the four-time Nigeria Premier League champions, returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Sunday with a 2-0 triumph over Lobi Stars, piling more misery on the struggling Makurdi side.
In fact, the defeat has confirmed that Lobi are NNL bound next season.
Goals from skipper Ahmed Musa and Naziru Auwalu were enough to seal maximum points for the Sai Masu Gida in a thrilling NPFL Matchday 33 encounter.
The match was a special occasion for the Sai Masu Gida, as it marked the return of Technical Adviser Usman Abd’allah to his beloved team. The excitement of the coach was evident as he emerged from the dressing room, beaming with joy like a returning bride, and was greeted with thunderous applause from the fans. However, the atmosphere was somewhat mixed, as the team observed a moment of silence in memory of former Nigerian international and coach, the legendary Christian Chukwu, who passed away a day earlier.
Coming into the game without a win in their last five outings, Kano Pillars FC showed a sense of urgency from the kickoff, dominating the opening 45 minutes with their high-pressing and attacking flair. Despite creating multiple chances, the goalless first half did not reflect the dominance of the Sai Masu Gida.
The breakthrough eventually came in the 55th minute after a moment of brilliance. Naziru Auwalu exploited space inside the Lobi Stars box and found Rabiu Ali, who delicately teed up Ahmed Musa to fire home his 7th goal of the season with a composed finish that sent the home fans into wild celebration. Musa’s goal was reminiscent of his Iceland strike of 2018 World Cup, but this time with his ‘weaker’ left foot.
The visitors maintained a low block and continued setting up an offside trap, which contained the potent attack of the hosts. Musa’s supposed second goal was cancelled out due to a tight offside call, and the Sai Masu Gida’s three penalty appeals were all denied. The visitors’ counter-attacking play seemed to pose a potential danger, threatening to deny the returning Coach Abd’allah a victorious return.
However, the hosts doubled their lead later in the game from the penalty spot. Ahmed Musa’s bursting run was stopped unsportsmanlike inside the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Naziru Auwalu was handed the kick by the skipper Musa, and Laja stepped up to coolly convert the penalty, capping a fine individual display with a deserved goal to wrap up a brilliant 45 minutes.
The victory lifts the former champions to 7th place on the NPFL standings with 47 points from 33 matches. It also left the visitors, Lobi Stars, in a desperate situation. Up next, the Sai Masu Gida will travel to Aba for a blockbuster clash against Enyimba International in what is dubbed the ZOBIA Clásico, a fierce rivalry that promises fireworks. What makes the tie more compelling is the return of Coach Abd’allah to Aba, his old stomping ground and a team he won the League with at the expense of his current employers.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Technical Adviser Usman Abd’allah expressed satisfaction with the team’s response and remained optimistic about their continental hopes. “We needed this win badly. It boosts the morale in the dressing room and sets the tone for the final stretch. We are not giving up on continental qualification. There’s still a lot to fight for,” he said.
With just five matches left in the season, the momentum could be shifting at just the right time for Kano Pillars FC as they look to end the campaign on a very high note. The Sai Masu Gida will need to maintain their form and intensity if they are to achieve their goal of continental qualification.
*POST-MATCH REACTIONS*
Coach Usman Abd’allah praised his team’s performance, saying, “We needed this win badly, and I’m delighted with the way the boys responded. We showed a lot of character and determination, and I’m proud of the way we played.”
Ahmed Musa, who scored the opening goal, said, “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we worked hard and deserved the win. We’re happy to have gotten the three points, and we’re looking forward to the next game.”
*WHAT’S NEXT?*
Kano Pillars FC will next face Enyimba International in the highly anticipated ZOBIA Clásico. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement. Will Kano Pillars FC continue their winning form, or will Enyimba International spoil the party? Stay tuned to find out!
Malam Aliyu Adamu.
*A Freelance writer, writes from Kano, Nigeria.*[email protected]
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