Pillars subdue Wikki Tourists 1-0 to leapfrog Enyimba, Rivers Utd
Kano Pillars boosted their chances of winning one of the remaining two continental tickets after they recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Wikki Tourists in one of the NPFL week 37 matches played yesterday at the Ahmadu Bello stadium Kaduna. Faced with relegation, Wikki Tourists remained resolute as Pillars, who needed to win the match […]
Auwalu Ali ‘Malam’ was the hero for Kano Pillars in yesterday’’s must win NPFL Week 37 match against Wikki Tourists in Kaduna
Kano Pillars boosted their chances of winning one of the remaining two continental tickets after they recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Wikki Tourists in one of the NPFL week 37 matches played yesterday at the Ahmadu Bello stadium Kaduna.
Faced with relegation, Wikki Tourists remained resolute as Pillars, who needed to win the match to stand a chance of qualifying for the continent were all over them.
However, Pillars got their breakthrough at the death when Auwalu Ali ‘Malam’ scored the all important goal in the 90th minute for the ‘Masu gida’ boys to leapfrog Enyimba and Rivers United to third position.
Meanwhile, Rivers United’s 3-1 victory over Lobi Stars was not enough to keep them in the top three as they dropped to fourth.
The Stanley Eguma tutored side opened the scoring in the 5th minute through Morice Chukwu, Nelson Esor doubled the lead in the 20th minute and Sunday Adetunji made it 3-0 before Osimaga Duke scored the consolation goal from the spot in the 88th minute for Lobi Stars.
The biggest loser among the top four was Enyimba who dropped to fifth place after relegation threatened Sunshine Stars forced them to a 1-1 draw at home.
Enyimba’s Emmanuel Ampiah gave his side the lead in the 60th minute but Ejike Uzoechi equalized in the 77th minute to put the ‘Peoples elephants’ continental hopes in jeopardy.
In other matches, Kwara United won 2-0 at relegated Adamawa United, Jigawa Stars edged FC IfeanyiUbah 3-0 in Kaduna just as Nasarawa United consolidated on their second position and a Champions League spot with 3-0 drubbing of Rangers in Lafia.
Akwa United were crowned champions of the 2021 NPFL season on Sunday after their 5-2 demolition of MFM in week 37, leaving the quartet of Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Rivers United to fight for the remaining two continental slots.