FILE PHOTO: Kano Pillars
Kano Pillars ended a seven-match winless streak with a 2–1 victory over Ikorodu City in Monday’s NPFL matchday 14 encounter.
In Katsina, Pillars stunned second-placed Ikorodu City with a 2-1 victory, halting the Lagos-based side’s eight-game unbeaten streak, the longest run in the league, which had included five wins.
Rabiu Ali opened the scoring in the third minute. Olakunle Alaka doubled the lead 30 minutes into the game with a precise finish, consolidating Pillars’ advantage.
The Oga Boys fought back in added time of the first half when Joseph Arumala met Folarin’s corner at the back post to head in a goal, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. Despite the early promise, Ikorodu were unable to find an equaliser in the second half, and the defeat saw them drop from first to second in the league table, overtaken by Nasarawa United.
The result does little to alleviate Kano Pillars’ struggles this season. The team remain rooted to the bottom with nine points after suffering a three-point deduction. Additionally, the club continues to play its home games away from Kano, having been banished to Katsina, which has disrupted their rhythm and made home advantage a distant memory.
Meanwhile, in Ilorin, Katsina United pulled off a 3-2 win over Enyimba in a thrilling contest. Jamilu Yusuf headed Katsina into the lead in the 32nd minute from Sani Mubarak’s delivery, and Uche Collins extended the advantage early in the second half following an unselfish pass from Azeez Falolu.
Enyimba responded swiftly through Stanley Dimgba in the 60th minute, only for Collins to restore Katsina’s two-goal cushion two minutes later. Issah Mohammed made it 3-2 on 64 minutes, but the Peoples’ Elephant could not find a way back.
The loss puts additional pressure on Enyimba, who are enduring a turbulent spell after parting ways with coach Stanley Eguma last week, with the club having claimed just one win in their last eight games.
Enyimba now sit 14th on the NPFL table, just three points clear of 17th-placed Kun Khalifat, intensifying fears of a relegation scrap in a season with promises to win the title.
Katsina United, on the other hand, rose to eighth with 20 points, showing encouraging signs after their recent struggles and the beginning of their banishment to Ilorin by the league authorities.
Looking ahead, Enyimba will host Enugu Rangers in what promises to be a crucial fixture as they seek to recover from their terrible run. Katsina United travel to Yenagoa to face Bayelsa United, aiming to build on their momentum.
Pillars, whose upcoming match against Rivers United was postponed due to the latter’s CAF Champions League engagement, will take a week off, while Ikorodu City return to Lagos to face fellow title challengers Abia Warriors in a match that could prove decisive in the race for continental spots. (Source: PUNCH Sports Extra)
