Pillars crush Insurance 4-0; Kun Khalifat stun Nasarawa in Lafia

Bendel Insurance began life without their Head Coach Kennedy Boboye on a very embarrassing note after they were mauled 4-0 by Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Premier Football League week 33 match played yesterday at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Boboye was recently slammed with a 17-match ban and a N2m fine for gross […]

Bendel Insurance began life without their Head Coach Kennedy Boboye on a very embarrassing note after they were mauled 4-0 by Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Premier Football League week 33 match played yesterday at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Boboye was recently slammed with a 17-match ban and a N2m fine for gross misconduct following a heated altercation involving match officials during his side’s fixture against his former employers Plateau United.

Pillars then took advantage of his absence to not only produce their best result since the start of the season but brighten their chances of escaping relegation.

Two first half goals, one each by Mustapha Jibrin and Chiedozie Okorie in 37 minutes put Pillars in firm control of the tie before another two late goals by Aminu Mohammed and veteran attacking winger, Benrad Ovoke, in the second half sealed the massive win for the “Masu Gida” boys.

The victory didn’t only atone for the 4-1 drubbing of Pillars by Bayelsa United last weekend, but kept the former champions on 14th position on the table with 43 points, thereby easing their relegation worries.

However, at the Lafia City Stadium, title contenders, Nasarawa United fell to a shocking 0-1 defeat to relegation-bound Kun Khalifat.

In other Week 33 matches played yesterday, Elijah Akanni scored the only goal as Katsina United defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, new leaders Enugu Rangers were forced to a goalless draw by visiting Barau FC, while Remo Stars continued with their unbeaten run under Coach Usman Abdallah after they recorded a slim 1-0 victory over South-west rivals 3SC in Ikenne.

Elsewhere, relegation-troubled Kwara United bounced back to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against El-Kanemi Warriors at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abeokuta.

At the Warri Township Stadium, Wolves dented Rivers United’s title hopes with two unreplied goals after club’s leading goalscorer, Evwierhurhoma Igbunu and Othuke Egbo scored once in each half of the match.

Following the defeat to Wolves, Rivers United with inferior goal difference of +6 have dropped to second on the table and are replaced by Enugu Rangers who also have 55 points but are leading the table with +16 goal difference.