Kano Pillars FC on Wednesday defeated Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt 1-0 in a keenly contested rescheduled matchday six tie of the 2020/2021 NPFL season at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
Rivers United, that had harboured hope of winning the three points to go top of the NPFL were undone by Pillars resilience and an early goal scored by Nwagua Nyima in the 20th minute from a goal mouth scramble after Pillars goal keeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, had a misunderstanding with his defenders.
Concerted efforts by the Wike Boys to equalise were aborted even as Pillars played the last 40 minutes of the game with 10 men after Abbass Rabiu was given red card for attempting to use his hand to score.
A Fortune Omoniwari shot hit straight at goalkeeper Idris Ibrahim in Pillars goal, which was sandwiched by an audacious effort by Pillars skipper Rabiu Ali to lob Rivers goalkeeper, Afelokhai from the center of the pitch and Auwalu Malam’s shot which went narrowly wide were the few efforts to change the scoreline.
The Sai Madu Gida, who are playing in their adopted home, Kaduna, gave their all to ensure that their fortress home ground remains impregnable, as they showed valour and resilience even when playing with 10 men to maintain the lead.
Rivers United that have been a force to reckon with in the League this season may have been fatigued following their trip to Benin Republic for their CAF Confederation match against Simba of South Africa last weekend as they failed to put up enough fight to secure any result.
Speaking after the match, Pillars Head Coach, Emmanuel Lionel Soccia, expressed delight at gaining the maximum points from such a difficult match. He said they would prepare to win their next match against Akwa United in Uyo.
For Coach Stanley Eguma of Rivers United, they lost the game due to the carelessness of the defence but they would go back to prepare better for their next match against Adamawa United.
