Kano Pillars FC secured their first away win of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, triumphing in a thrilling 4-3 victory over defending champions Rangers International on Wednesday, October 16, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
This Match Day 7 encounter showcased the resilience and tenacity of Sai Masu Gida as they surged to a commanding first-half lead and held off a spirited Rangers comeback.
First Half Dominance
Bouncing back from a challenging weekend loss to Akwa United, Kano Pillars stormed into the game with a fiery performance. Within 15 minutes, the Sai Masu Gida netted, establishing their control over the match.
Rabiu Ali opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Rangers conceded a handball from Ahmed Musa’s cross. This marked Ali’s third goal of the season and set the tone for an assertive first half.
Shortly after, Zulkifilu Muhammed doubled the lead with a clinical finish, assisted by Musa, who skillfully outmaneuvered his marker down the right flank. This was Zulkifilu’s first goal of the season and underscored Pillars’ attacking prowess.
Another penalty awarded to Kano Pillars saw Rabiu Ali convert his second spot-kick of the match, following a foul on Ahmed Musa in the box. This brought Ali’s tally to four goals for the season and pushed the team further ahead.
In added time, Ahmed Musa capped off the half with a spectacular solo effort, dribbling past four Rangers defenders before slotting in his third goal of the season to make it 4-0 in favour of the visitors.
Second Half Resurgence from Rangers
Despite being four goals down, Rangers rallied after the break, launching a spirited comeback to reignite the contest. The hosts managed to pull one back early in the second half, sparking hope among the home fans.
Continuing their fightback, Rangers struck twice more, bringing the scoreline to a tense 4-3 and setting up a thrilling final few minutes. However, the Pyramid City side held firm, showcasing their defensive resilience to secure a well-deserved victory.
Full-Time: Rangers International 3-4 Kano Pillars
Post-Match Reactions
In his post-match interview, Kano Pillars Technical Adviser Usman Abdallah praised his team’s determination. “Our objective was to collect three points from our away games down south, and I’m delighted we accomplished that,” he remarked.
Abdallah highlighted the contributions of Ahmed Musa, Rabiu Ali, and Shehu Abdullahi, while acknowledging the defensive lapses that allowed Rangers back into the game. He noted the challenging weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, which affected the flow of play but emphasized the need to strengthen the team’s defensive focus.
With this victory, Sai Masu Gida look forward to their Match Day 8 fixture, where they will host Kwara United at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina, eager to build on this hard-fought win.
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