Chinedum Ohanusi
A goal in each half by Abba Adam propelled Kano Pillars FC to a comfortable 2-0 win over Enyimba Int’l FC of Aba, in a rescheduled Day 14 fixture of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata, packed to rafters, on Thursday.
Adam scored a beauty of a goal in the 26th minute of play to send the capacity crowd at the fixture, dubbed _Zo-Bia_ Classic, into a frenzy; and Pillars took a 1-0 lead, in the break.
With ageless Rabiu Ali, and captain Ahmed Musa detecting their play, Kano Pillars contained all that was thrown at them by Enyimba FC, which had 21-year-old Ifeanyi Ihemekwala leading their attack line.
And when it looked as if the game was dragging to a 1-Nil conclusion; Adam struck again in the 72nd minute, as Coach Usman Abd’Allah led Kano Pillars doubled their lead, and left Enyimba FC with a mountain to climb, if they were to leave Kano with a result.
The Aba People’s Elephant eventually were unable to find a route back into the game, and the Sai Masugida convincingly won the tie 2-0.
With a compelling victory, sealed courtesy of a brace from Adam, Pillars ensured that all of the 3 points on offer stayed in Kano; and with 28 points, they leapfrogged
Enyimba FC to 7th in the table, while Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia reclined to 9th, on 27 points, same as their sister club, Enyimba FC.
The nine-time NPFL Champions, whose attention is now fully focused on the domestic league, now has just one more outstanding fixture to play, versus Kwara United FC of Ilorin.
The league, which is at present on a mid-season recess, resumes on January 25th, 2025; with a full programme of Day 25 fixtures.
