By Abdul Raheem
In a fixture that meant different value for either side, it was Jigawa Golden Stars FC that produced an upset on Sunday in a 1-0 defeat of local rival, Kano Pillars FC at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.
For Jigawa, the result represents a huge boost to their chances of avoiding relegation in the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
It’s a further dent to the aspirations of title chasing Kano Pillars, coming on the heels of another defeat to Rivers United that widened the gap between them and front runners, Akwa United.
Pillars expectedly dominated the game from the beginning but towards the end, it was the Badaru Boys that scored a goal created from nothing and against the run of play when substitute Ali Kalla took a shot that flew into the left corner of goal. It left Pillars keeper, Suraj Ayeleso well beaten, stranded and stunned.
The match was vital to both sides, as the Sai Masu Gida aimed at doing the double against their local rivals, remaining second on the log and increasing their chances of winning the league at the same time. The three home points are equally key for Jigawa who are battling to climb to mid table and escape relegation.
The Sai Masu Gida have themselves to blame after creating many begging chances that were not converted. Pillars captain, Ahmed Musa took the first chance when he turned in the 11th minute and took a shot which went narrowly wide.
Jigawa’s Abdullahi Lala also saw his shot saved by Ayeleso on 37th minute. Nwagua Nyima later headed wide from inside the Jigawa box. Then Jigawa goal keeper, Sochima Victor made double saves from Kokoette Udoh shot and the rebound as the first half ended goalless.
Jigawa had an early scare in the second half when a defender hit his own crossbar while attempting to clear the ball away. Then the Sai Masu Gida missed a chance to score from a counter attacking position. Mustapha Jibrin also missed a sitter when his diagonal shot went wide.
Then came the moment of the game. The Badaru Boys launched a counterattack and the ball fell to Ali Kalla, who came in for Olasunkanmi Quadri, he controlled well and hit a one time shot into the left corner leaving Ayeleso stranded.
Speaking after the game, Pillars head Coach, Ibrahim Musa said they were undone by poor finishing noting that for the last few matches that remained the team’s biggest challenge.
“We played well but did not convert our chances just as we did against Akwa United and even Enyimba. We have no one to blame but the players.”
For Coach Gilbert Opuana of Jigawa Stars, it was sweet victory that ensures they share the bragging rights. “We had wanted to bring Ali Kalla in earlier because we realised that lots of these players play better when playing against a team from their home.
“They didn’t really create clear chances against us because they didn’t harass our keeper. Our next match against Adamawa United we want to do our best to win. We want to take advantage of our double home matches to climb away from the relegation zone.”
