By Abdul Raheem
Two first half goals by Ndasi Denis Kadiang earned Kano Pillars a derby victory over Jigawa Golden Stars in a Matchday 8 tie of the 2020/2021 NPFL season at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
The energetic midfielder scored two goals from set pieces in five minutes to hand Pillars the bragging right in the crucial derby.
His shot from a goal mouth melee following a corner kick was deflected into the net in the 12th minute for the first and five minutes later, he nodded home the second from Auwalu Ali Malam corner kick to put the game to bed.
Pillars, who defeated their neighbours and arch rivals, Jigawa Stars 2-0 in the reverse fixture last season at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, were eager to prove their mettle and maintain their home invincibility at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, adopted by both sides for the season.
Jigawa dominated early proceedings with Andrew Idoko having the first shot on target, but the Sai Masu Gida fought back to gain control of the game, when Abbas Rabiu drew a save from Paul Godwin with a low shot. Pillars had four corner kicks in the first half, two of which produced the goals.
The second corner kick had led to a goal mouth scramble and the ball found its way to Kadiang inside the box, only for his shot to be deflected into goal with Paul Godwin in Jigawa goal wrong footed.
The second goal came from the fourth corner by Auwalu Malam which found Kadiang almost on the same spot and he rose high to nod the ball home for his brace.
Abbas Rabiu would later hit the crossbar in the second half after beating the Jigawa’s defence and with goalkeeper Paul stranded.
Jigawa fought back but were undone by a tepid attack that missed top striker, Stone Samuel, who was absent from the match day squad. Pillars captain and legend, Rabiu Ali attempted to lob Paul Godwin twice from the center circle but failed to find the net.
Speaking after the match, Pillars Head Coach, Emmanuel Lionel Soccia expressed delight at winning his first local derby against Jigawa Stars. He commended his players for giving their best to secure a win in such a difficult match.
For Jigawa Golden Stars’ Assistant Coach, Samson Olukunle, who stood in for suspended Gilbert Opuana, his boys slacked early in the match to give Pillars the chance but failed to recover after the two goals.
Match details:
Kano Pillars FC Team list
1. Idris Ibrahim GK
27. Victor Dennis
30. Fahad Usman
14. Emmanuel Anyanwu
2. Ndasi Denis Kadiang
17. Auwalu Ali Malam
16. Bright Silas (Ike Chinedu 72′)
28. Nwagua Nyima
31. Yusuf Bala Maigoro
10. Rabi’u Ali (C) (Achibi Ewenike 86′)
33. Abbas Rabi’u (David Nnaji 64′)
Substitutes
12. Joshua Enaholo
26. Sunday Chinedu
6. Munkaila Musa
29. Achibi Ewenike
13. Usman Babalolo
3. Nasiru Sani
38. Umar Hassan
18. David Nnaji
4. Ike Chinedu
T/A: Emmanuel Lionel Soccia
CC: Ibrahim A. Musa
C: Ahmad Garba Yaro Yaro
G/T: Muzammil Aliyu
Media Officer Lurwanu Idris Malikawa
Jigawa Golden Stars team list
30 Paul Godwin
2 Bilal Yakubu
26 Phillip Clement
5 Olanrewaju Abdulrahman
15 Ibrahim Umar
33 Papa Idris (Saidu Abdullahi 49′)
8 Richard Christopher (Arinze Oyota 82′)
17 Yusuf Abdullahi (Olasunkanmi Quadri 82′)
13 Dede Samuel (Abdullahi Lala 56′)
36 Andrew Idoko
29 Abdulmalik Abubakar (Ali Musa 49′)
Substitutes
16 Sochima Victor
17 Obadaki Halilu
34 Olamide Ogundele
27 Olasunkanmi Quadri
21 Mohammed Gidado
28 Arinze Oyota
10 Ali Musa
11 Abdullahi Lala
7 Saidu Abdullahi
TA: Gilbert Opuana
Man of the match; Kano Pillars Ndasi Denis Kadiang was voted man of the match for winning the game for Pillars with his brace.
Cautions:
Pillars Victor Denis was booked towards the end of the first half for misconduct.
Match Statistics: Kano Pillars/Jigawa Stars
Shots 5/3
Shots on target 4/2
Corners 8/3
Fouls 11/5
Free kicks 5/12
Offsides 1/0
Saves 1/1
Yellow cards 1/0
Red cards 0/0
Penalties 0/0
Goals 2/0
