Kano Pillars: lucky to scrape victory

Kano Pillars Football Club beat visiting Ikorodu United of Lagos 2-1 on Sunday in a Match Day 15 fixture of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

It was the same scorleine at Umuahia Stadium, where Enyimba also secured a narrow win over hard fighting Niger Tornadoes.

Pillars,  former league champions needed to shrug off the weariness of their midweek home defeat to Enyimba and were quick to it as they went in front after 15 minutes.

Emmanuel Edmund scored after a pass from Rabiu Ali, in the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

But Wednesday’s memories were soon evoked when Yemi Olasupo equalised for the visitors in the 27th minute with a brilliant effort.

Kano Pillars braced up to the challenge, by attacking the visitors after the break, only to be foiled by the backline of Ikorodu United.

But they did not let off, with Ali who captained his side scoring the winning goal in the 76th minute to draw wild cheers from the home fans.

Kano Pillars then only needed to ward off all attempts by Ikorodu United to equalise as they held on to win the game.

Enyimba FC: ward off Niger Tornadoes

Speaking after the match, Pillars’ coach Muhammed Babaganaru said the result was good for the team after the home defeat to Enyimba.

“My team will continue to improve and work for more victories,’’ he said.

In Umuahia, Coach Paul Aigbogun of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba  said he was relieved his team could secure a narrow win over hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna.

Aigbogun said: “Honestly, I thank God that we won the match’’.

He described the match as “a very physical one’’, adding that his players, who just returned from a midweek match against Kano Pillars FC, were down with fatigue and injuries.

“It was not easy to play such a big match (in Kano) and come here (in Umuahia) to play against another strong team. So, I thank God for the victory,’’ the former Warri Wolves coach said.

Reacting to the outcome of the match, coach Abdullahi Biffo of Niger Tornadoes commended the determination of his players, saying “they gave a good account of themselves’’.

Biffo however regretted that his side conceded the second goal, describing it as “a cheap goal’’.

He also lamented that his team were having difficulties winning their home matches in Lokoja because, according to him, “visiting teams always regarded Lokoja as a neutral ground’’.

Enyimba are playing their home matches in the league in Umuahia and the CAF Champions League in Port Harcourt.

This was due to ongoing reconstruction of the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.

Enyimba’s two goals against Niger Tornadoes were scored in the 15th and 48th minutes by Nzube Anaejemba and Ike ThankGod respectively.

Bodeji Adeyemo scored the visitors’ lone goal in the 31st minute.

*The results of the 10 Match Day 15 fixtures in the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Saturday and Sunday at nine venues across the country:

Played on Sunday:

Enyimba International 2-1 Niger Tornadoes

Lobi Stars 1-0 MFM FC

Akwa United 2-0 FC IfeanyiUbah

Warri Wolves 0-1 Rivers United

Rangers International 1-1 Shooting Stars FC

Plateau United 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Wikki Tourists 2-1 Nasarawa United

Kano Pillars 2-1 Ikorodu United

Heartland FC 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors

Played on Saturday:

Abia Warriors 1-0 Giwa FC (NAN)