Chidozie Okorie opened scoring in the 11th minute, giving the home side an early lead.

Ahmed Musa doubled the advantage in the 45th minute to put Kano Pillars in firm control before the break.

The match, played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, saw both sides create chances, but Kano Pillars were more clinical in front of goal.

Speaking after the match, Kano Pillars Head Coach, Muhammad Babaganaru, commended his players for their determination and teamwork.

He said the victory, which earned the team three points and a clean sheet, was a collective effort and crucial in moving the club out of the relegation zone.

Babaganaru noted that the result had boosted the team’s confidence, stressing the need to sustain the momentum and secure more points, including away fixtures.

He also praised the players’ attitude and improved defensive organisation, adding that the team remained compact in spite of  a brief dip following tactical adjustments.

Enyimba Head Coach, Emmanuel Deutsch, described the encounter as difficult, noting that his team failed to perform to expectation.

“We lost again, and it is not a good situation. The home team used their advantage well and controlled key moments of the game,” he said.

Deutsch said his side made costly mistakes and were duly punished, adding that Kano Pillars deserved the victory.

He acknowledged that Enyimba were in a difficult position but expressed optimism that the team could turn things around.

“The league is not over yet. We will go back, correct our mistakes and prepare properly for the next match,” he said.

Source: NAN

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In the match played at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex in Ilorin, the hosts dominated proceedings from the beginning.

They controlled possession through Akanni Akeem and Shola AbdulRaheem in the midfield, while Ibrahim Yahaya and Segun Adekunle anchored their defence to ensure a solid backline.

Their relentless pressure paid off in the 20th minute when AbdulRaheem was fouled in the box, leading the referee to award a penalty kick which Wasiu Alalade converted.

Kano Pillars’ fight back, led by former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, was swift and dangerous, but Kwara United maintained their dominance and still pressed for more goals.

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At the restart, substitute Wasiu Jimoh made an immediate impact, with a thunderous shot from close range to double the lead and seal a well-deserved victory.

Kano Pillars had a few late goal scoring chances, but outstanding performances from Jimoh Gbadamosi and Nurudeen Badmus thwarted any comeback attempt.

Kwara United’s Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, expressed delight with the match result, commending his players for their commitment and execution of their game plan.

“The way my players approached this game reflects our position on the log. This victory is well-deserved,” Sanni said.

With this win, Kwara United now have 39 points from 28 matches, moving up to 10th place on the NPFL table.

Their next challenge will be an away fixture against Rangers International FC in Enugu on March 16.

Source: NAN

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In the match day 17 game of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Kano Pillars were left with several missed goal-scoring chances.

The result moved 3SC up the league ladder into fourth, with 27 points after eight wins, three draws and six losses.

After an opening minute scare, when goalkeeper Charles Tambe blocked a low shot after advancing to face a free Olaniyi Fasanmi, Kano Pillars were much in control of the match.

The visitors pushed 3SC back with right flank runs which kept the hosts on the back foot for almost six minutes.

The 3SC defence-line of match captain Gali Falke, Ikouwem Utin, Ayodeji Bamidele and Desmond Ojietifian however did a yeoman job of keeping out Adam and Auwalu Malam.

Bamidele came to the hosts’ rescue in the 26th minute when Adam broke free midway into the 3SC half to face goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal, but he blocked his low shot for a corner-kick.

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Kano Pillars left the home fans stunned by dominating play, especially on the right flank, subjecting the hosts to retreating and surviving on few counter-attacks which were always poorly finished.

But, after 44 minutes and against the run of play, 3SC went wide on the right and Falke’s high lift was headed in at the far side by Akpan Joshua for the opening goal.

The goal did energise the hosts’ second half display, but the visitors were still the ones with the dominance through their flank runs and well-coordinated build-ups.

Shooting Stars went on to seal the win through substitute Mustapha Adams’ free-kick from about 25 metres out, blasted past Tambe’s stretched hands in the 79th minute.

Thereafter, the hosts only needed to just see out the win as Kano Pillars were no longer as stinging as before, losing steam out of poor finishing.

Kano Pillars are eighth on the log with 22 points from 16 matches.

Source: NAN

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Rivers United beat visiting Kano Pillars 1-0 to return to the top position with 29 points after Match Day 15 fixtures.

A goal by Aniekeme Okon in the 31st minute at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium gave them the full points to surge ahead of the pack.

Remo Stars of Ikenne dropped to second after losing 1-2 to Niger Tornadoes in Minna following goals from Joseph Godstime and Papa Daniel in the 26th and 40th minutes respectively.

The result took the game and the top spot away from the former league leaders.

By the time they reduced the tally through Michael Ibe in the third minute of second half added time it was a little too late.

They are now with 26 points from 15 matches, following eight wins, two draws and two losses, after scoring 16 goals and conceding 10.

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Ikorodu City of Lagos moved up to third position with 24 points from 15 matches after whipping former champions, Akwa United of Uyo 4-1.

Rangers International of Enugu who visited Enyimba International in Aba on Tuesday are still in fourth place with 23 points from 14 matches and can move up with a win.

Shooting Stars of Ibadan are in sixth position with 21 points, after beating the visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 2-0.

In another match played in the league on Sunday, El-Kanemi Warriors drew goalless with visiting Bayelsa United of Yenagoa in Maiduguri.

They are in fifth place with 23 points.

Katsina United beat visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure 1-0, while hosts Heartland FC of Owerri beat Nasarawa United of Lafia 3-2.

On Saturday, Bendel Insurance of Benin had beaten visiting Plateau United of Jos 2-1 while Lobi Stars won 1-0 in Lafia against visiting Kwara United of Ilorin.

The league will enter Match Day 16 on December 8.

Source: NAN

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The match day seven fixture was watched by a large crowd.

In the game’s 45th minute, Albert Hillary of Plateau United scored to give the visiting team the lead, but Haruna Abdullahi got an equaliser for the hosts in the 75th minute.

Abdullahi Musa-Tayo’s 86th minute header earned the Kano side the maximum points of the game.

In a post-match interview, Head Coach of Kano Pillars, Abdullahi Maikaba, said the victory was hard-fought as the visitors proved difficult to overcome.

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Maikaba said his team took their chances in the game and were happy to have the three points.

“We are happy that we got the victory, it was a difficult game as both teams played well,” he explained.

On his part, coach of Plateau United, Kennedy Boboye, said that his team lost to a better side with an experienced coach.

He also commended his players for their fighting spirit.

Boboye said that his boys relaxed after scoring the first goal and allowed the host to equalise.

Source: NAN

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The Week 13  game of the NPFL was played behind closed doors at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, ATBS, in Bauchi.

Wikki Tourists were sanctioned as a result of unruly behaviour by fans during their home match with visiting Plateau United last week.

Two goals from People Damola in the 71st and 76th minutes of the match secured victory for the Wikki Tourists.

Kano Pillars  scored after 14 minutes into the match through Gabriel Jeremiah who headed home an assist from Abdullahi Musa.

The visitors also missed a chance to extend their lead and their strikers could not score again until the end of the match.

Kabiru Dogo, the Technical Adviser to WiKki Tourists, later told journalists during a post-match interview that his players did well to secure victory.

He also appreciated the club management and football fans for giving them all the support to ensure victory.

On his part, Ibrahim Musa, the Head Coach of Kano Pillars, said they gallantly lost a match they were not supposed to lose.

“We started the match with full energy but lack of tactical discipline made us lose the match and we accepted the defeat in good faith,” he said.

Musa added that Kano Pillars needed to work harder to win more matches to make up for the match they had lost.

Source: NAN

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