Defending league champions Kano Pillars now occupy top spot on the Nigeria Premier League table after defeating Bayelsa United in a rescheduled match played this evening in Kano.
With Sharks and Enyimba dropping points last weekend, Pillars had the oppotrunity to go top of the league for the first time this season against a Bayelsa side struggling in the relegation zone.
After a minute’s silence was observed at the start of the match in Kano in honour of late Ado Bayero, the match was settled by Gambo Mohammed’s goal for Pillars just past the half-hour mark after being put through by Abdul Haruna.
The hard-earned win puts Pillars on 31 points, ahead of Nasarawa United on goal difference while Sharks is now down to fourth with 30 points following three straight losses. Pillars also have a game in hand.
In another rescheduled Nigeria Premier League match this evening, Abia Warriors compounded Nembe City’s relegation misery with a 4-0 thrashing in Umuahia.
Peter Onyekachi was in peak form for Abia Warriors, breaking the deadlock for the home side with a penalty midway through the first half before adding a second five minutes into the second half.
Onyekachi then set up Jackson Daniel for Abia’s third after 61 minutes before completing his hattrick from the penalty spot 10 minutes later to wrap up a big win for Abia Warriors.
As a result, Abia Warriors now occupy third spot on the league table with 30 points, ahead of Sharks on goal difference with Enyimba a point behind in fifth place.
Nembe City meanwhile remain rooted to the bottom of the league with 16 points from 19 matches, seven points away from safety at the halfway stage of the 2014 league season.