2023/2024 NPFL Match Day. 14: Happy day in Kano as veteran Rabiu Ali rescues Pillars against Remo

Posted : 19 December 2023

It was a happy day at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano on Sunday as Kano Pillars were made to sweat to ensure a 2-1 victory over the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) league leaders, Remo Stars FC of Ikenne.

The Sai Masu Gida side, knowing what was at stake, ensured total commitment to the details of what the resilient Sky Blue Stars would throw at them to avoid an unwanted result.

Remo Stars FC is well known for their outstanding performances in grabbing away wins, especially when playing against big teams, as they have achieved good results with their audacious moves, maintaining them at the top of the table for the last three matchdays.

For the clash against Sai Masu Gida, Daniel Ogunbodede's side surely missed the services of one of the leading highest goal-scorers of the league, Sikiru Alimi, who has notched in 9 goals so far this season but had to serve a one-match ban after receiving five cautions in the previous matches.

The coach, Ogunbodede, called into action the trio of Qudus Akanni, Adams Olamilekan, and Abayomi Adebayo to lead the attack against Kano Pillars.

With an eye for spectacular goals on away ground, Remo Stars tormented Pillars in front of their packed stadium as the supporters relentlessly sang to support the home team.

Also, Remo Stars' goalkeeper, who had ensured five consecutive clean sheets, was called into question several times as Kano Pillars' strikers, led by veteran striker and skipper, 41-year-old Rabiu Ali, relentlessly troubled the goal arena, giving Bankole a busy day of making audacious saves.

As the intensity of the match grew after a goalless encounter in the first half, Kano Pillars' Ibrahim Mustapha broke the deadlock in the 50th minute after Remo Stars' defenders failed to clear the lines from yet another of Bankole's audacious saves from the set pieces, resulting in Mustapha's tap-in for the first goal of the match.

With 18 minutes left to play, Remo Stars got an equalizer as Adams Olamilekan beat his man brilliantly to find an onrushing Dayo Ojo who lobbed the ball over the Kano Pillars goalkeeper to lift the ball into the back of the net.

It was, however, Dayo Ojo's first goal of the league season for the Sky Blue Stars.

The equalizers by Remo Stars only lasted for seven minutes as Kano Pillars got the winning goals through veteran striker, Ali, who pounced on a goal-mouth scramble to give the Sai Masu Gida side the lifeline of three points in Kano.

Events after the match showed that Rabiu Ali was not only loved by Kano Pillars' fans but the fraternity of the Nigerian League, as Remo Stars' players paid tribute to the last man standing of the premier league at the age of 41 years.

Ali on the sidelines said he was happy to have scored the winning goal against a team that was reputable for away wins.

"This is one of the most exciting games for me; Remo Stars players came very strong, but we are more determined to defeat them.

"My team did a good job today by stopping Remo Stars, not forgetting that they are the league leaders right now," he said.

The coach of Kano Pillars, Abdul Maikaba, however, described the win as a happy day for the side, adding that the players deserved credit for the brave performance.

"My team deserves praise for this win because it is an important clash against the league leaders," he said.

Ogunmoded, however, said that he expected his team to focus on the next match.

In spite of the loss, Remo Stars still top the table with 26 points, tied with Lobi Stars, who defeated Doma United FC in Lafia but leading through a superior goal difference.

Remo Stars FC played 14 games, won 8 times, drew two times, and recorded four losses.

The Sky Blue Stars will welcome their joint leaders, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, in a top-of-the-table clash in Ikenne on Thursday.

Kano Pillars, on the other hand, are now placed 6th on the league table with 22 points from 14 league matches, having seven wins, one draw, and six losses.

Kano Pillars will now travel to Kaduna to play Niger Tornadoes for the Match Day 15 fixtures.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day. 14: Happy day in Kano as veteran Rabiu Ali rescues Pillars against Remo

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics