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Former league champions Kano Pillars continued their indifferent form in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season as they dropped to the relegation zone after a 2-3 loss to Abia Warriors in Okigwe.
Both teams were neck-on-neck with each other on the league log before Saturday’s game but hosts, Warriors edged the highly entertaining five goals thriller to push themselves clear from their visitors.
Warriors took the lead with just four minutes on the clock when Paul Samson headed home Augustine Njoku’s cross at the far post but Pillars levelled in the 27th minute after Ifeanyi Eze latched onto Rabiu Ali’s lofted pass before finishing with aplomb.
The hosts went back in front with just seconds left of the first half when winger Emmanuel Onu scored after Pillars failed to properly clear danger. It was a crucial point in the game for the hosts to score.
Imama Amapakabo’s men then extended their lead in the 70th minute through striker Godwin Obaje whose effort squirmed under the grasp of former Warriors goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo, in goal for Pillars.
Pillars never gave up though and they got a second goal of theirs from the Sai Masu Gida textbook. Rabiu Ali’s brilliantly lofted pass over the Warriors defence was met by Auwalu Ali Malam who buried home on the half volley.
There was not to be an equaliser again from Pillars as the 2014 champions dropped to the relegation zone once again with Warriors climbing up to 12th on the log.
Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo enjoyed the game as much as the fans that saw it in Okigwe.
“This is one game that whoever it is that came got their money’s worth. It was entertaining, there were goals and I think it was a good tactical game for whoever that loves tactics and a good advertisement for the NPFL.
“Last season it was five goals (in this fixture), this season it is five goals. I think it is exciting as it is between two teams that want to play, both sides are teams that want to attack and it is always very nice,” said Amapakabo to www.npfl.ng
Pillars were led to Okigwe by their former player and league legend Ahmed Garba ‘Yaro Yaro’. He told www.npfl.ng after the game that it was not a game his side should have lost and believes his team will get out of the relegation zone if they can keep up performances like Saturday’s.
“We honestly didn’t have to lose this game today because we played better, we created chances more than them but we conceded two goals carelessly from the boys.
“But if we continue with this performance, I believe we will not lose any game again till the end of the season,” said Yaro Yaro’.
Kano Pillars will return home to Kano for two home games against Dakkada (in midweek) and Rangers International next weekend while Abia Warriors will travel to face Shooting Stars in Ibadan next week.
Match Details
Abia Warriors
1. Pius Ibrahim 33. Augustine Njoku 32. Odinaka Anaeto 17. Daniel Wotlai 35. Edward Lawrence 24. Yeo Chacool 7. Paul Samson 12. Yakub Hammed 21. Godwin Obaje 9. Valentine Odoh 3. Emmanuel Onu
SUB:
22. Vincent Edafe 23 Kabiru Muhammad 26. Mustapha Jibrin 28. Lukman Bello 8. Imeh Atobasi Jnr 12. Innocent Gabriel
2. Chigozie Umeh 11. Kalu Nweke
10. Anthony Okemmiri
Kano Pillars XI
12. Joshua Enaholo 2. Abdullahi Ali 30. Fahad Usman 26. Tamara Ezekiel 5. Abdullahi Musa 27. Nelson Ogbonnaya 9. Auwalu Ali Malam 8. Yusuf Bala Maigoro 21. Ifeanyi Kelvin Eze 10. Rabiu Ali 23. Daniel Mark
Subs
1. Ibrahim Idrissu
31. Muhusin Attahiru
3. Ismaila Muhammad Nasir
4. Emeka Onyema
37. Abdullahi Salisu
19. Yusuf Suleiman
38. Suleiman Idris Ibrahim
18. Kokoette Udo
15. Gabriel Jeremiah
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