NPFL: Pillars fall on Katsina United in Kano as 3SC pays a hefty insurance premium to Bendel in Benin
In the first North West derby held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, it was the Saimasu Gida side that emerged victorious, defeating Katsina United by a narrow margin of 1-0.
The sole goal of the match was netted by Mustapha Yuga in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a well-executed pass from the veteran skipper of the team, Rabiu Ali.
This crucial victory secured three valuable points for the home team and elevated them to the 8th position on the league table. The tightly contested game witnessed some disciplinary actions as the referee brandished yellow cards for three players.
Pillars’ Ali Abdullahi received a caution in the 31st minute, while Okoro Ibe of Katsina United was booked in the 41st minute.
Coach Tony Bolus attempted to turn the tide around with a double substitution on the hour mark by replacing Usman Bara’u and Mansoor Saleh with Okoko Junior and Azeez Falolu, respectively, but Pillars held their ground tightly to record a consecutive win over their fierce rival.
This win brought relief to Coach Abdullahi Maikaba, who had previously endured a disappointing start to the league, suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sunshine Stars in their opening match in Akure.
The Chanji boys will look to bounce back to winning ways when they host Lobi Stars at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on matchday three, while Kano Pillars will travel down south to face Abia Warriors in Umuahia.
Elsewhere, Federation Cup holders Bendel Insurance, Kano Pillars, and Doma United recorded victories in their respective Nigerian Premier Football League games on Saturday.
Insurance who were playing their first game of the season on matchday two due to their CAF Confederations Cup continental engagements defeated Shooting Stars Sports Club 2-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin to kick off their new campaign on a winning note. An own goal from Gali Falke in the 10th minute put the Ibadan-based club on the back foot. The goal resulted from the pressure mounted by Insurance attackers as Falke’s intended headed clearance went into his side’s net.
Coach Monday Odigie’s tactical switch in the 72nd minute replacing Jude Ebhohon, and Vincent Augustus Paul Obatan for Austin Ogunye, Akpos Godness, and Evans Ogbonda changed the complexion of the game to Insurance advantage.
The combined force of the three substitutes paid off when Ogbonda picked up a pass from Stanley Okorom and beat two men before he fired in a stunner from 25 yards to send the home fans at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium into wide jubilation.
In the post-match interview, Odigie said he was happy with the victory but not excited because some of his key players were not available for the game.
“It was a tough game, the side that converted their chances won. We are going back to work on areas we had lapses,” Odige said. At the Gombe Township Stadium, Doma United secured a convincing 2-0 win over visitors, Bayelsa United.
20-year-old Andrew Majalisa opened the scoring for the Tigers in the 21st minute with a left-footed shot after Hillary Ekawu laid the ball for him from a freekick.
Doma doubled their lead two hours before the hour mark through Charles Terwar who scored a volley that beat the Bayelsa United goalkeeper.
