2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 34: Enyimba, Kano Pillars, talk tough ahead of showdown in Aba

Posted : 19 April 2025

It will be another titanic battle on Saturday as 9th-placed Enyimba International FC of Aba square off against 7th-placed Kano Pillars FC in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 34 fixture at the Enyimba International FC Stadium, Aba.

With both clubs eyeing a continental ticket slot, Enyimba—six points adrift of the final continental position—still nurture hopes of pulling off an upset.

However, just this Wednesday, the nine-time league champions, the People’s Elephant, let their guard down and were surprisingly defeated 0-2 by little-known Nigeria National League (NNL) side Abakaliki FC in the Round of 16 of the 2025 President Federation Cup in Asaba.

While the four-time FA Cup winners are now out of the competition—and their hopes of sneaking into a continental spot dimmed—Enyimba will return to the 2024/2025 NPFL season like a wounded lion, ready to pounce on the visiting Sai Masu Gida.

Meanwhile, Kano Pillars got the job done clinically and decisively against Lobi Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Match Day 33.

The 2-0 victory not only lifted Kano Pillars to seventh on the NPFL table but also confirmed Lobi Stars’ relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

But beyond the scoreline, the key takeaway came from the touchline and dugout.

Head Coach Usman Abdallah laid bare his tactical blueprint, his urgency for goals, and his mindset heading into the all-important clash against Enyimba in Aba.

Also targeting a top-four finish, Abdallah stated that the team wants to dominate the league with more goals—believing that goal difference could ultimately make the difference at the end of the campaign.

“You can see we’re not satisfied with the goals we’ve scored because, at the end of the day, goal difference will play a big role in separating the clubs.

“Almost five clubs are on the same points, and we’ve conceded quite a lot. So, we need to balance the goals to stay on the positive side.”

According to him, goal difference could very well determine which teams secure the remaining continental spots.

“Remo are already gone. Only two spaces are left to fight for. The third goes to the FA Cup winner. Enyimba, Pillars, and maybe three other clubs are all contesting for just two slots.”

“For the past week, I think it’s the best I’ve had with Pillars. All the players trained excellently. There’s been a lot of unity and commitment. You saw it today—even though the game was tough, they kept their heads up and delivered.”

This is done and dusted—next up, Aba.

With Lobi out of the way, the focus now shifts to a much-anticipated showdown in Aba against record nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba FC. But Coach Abdallah believes it’s an opportunity worth seizing.

“I think this one is done and dusted. Next up is Enyimba. So, we have to start planning how we can get something in Aba,” he said.

“This year, Enyimba aren’t in top form. They’ve even lost at home. We intend to capitalise on that and reshuffle our team. This win has boosted the club massively.”

With their next stop in Aba, Kano Pillars are not just chasing points—they’re chasing a continental spot. And under reinstated coach Abdallah, they’re doing it with intent, precision, and unity.

Head to Head
The last five meetings give Kano Pillars a slight edge over Enyimba, with three wins to Enyimba’s two.

23 Jan: Kano Pillars 2 - 0 Enyimba

3 Apr 24: Enyimba 5 - 0 Kano Pillars

12 Nov 23: Kano Pillars 1 - 0 Enyimba

21 Apr 22: Enyimba 4 - 0 Kano Pillars

2 Jan 22: Kano Pillars 2 - 0 Enyimba

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 34: Enyimba, Kano Pillars, talk tough ahead of showdown in Aba

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics