Kano Pillars’ newly appointed head coach, Abdul Maikaba, delivered a strong message of praise and encouragement to his players following last weekend’s victory.
Pillars secured a 1-0 win over Katsina United in the North-West derby, marking their triumphant return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a home game at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The decisive goal in the match came in the 27th minute when Mustapha Yuga found the back of the net, sending the ecstatic home crowd into raptures. The goal was the result of a well-executed play orchestrated by the midfield maestro and team captain, Rabiu Ali, who provided an exquisite pass to set up Mustapha for the score.
This crucial victory not only earned Kano Pillars three precious points in the league but also propelled them to the 8th position in the league standings, reigniting the hopes and beliefs of their loyal fan base.
The intense derby encounter did not come without its share of disciplinary actions, as the center referee issued yellow cards to three players. Pillars’ Ali Abdullahi received a caution in the 31st minute, while Katsina United’s Okoro Ibe found himself booked just 10 minutes later. The second half of the game witnessed a fiercely contested battle, but neither side managed to alter the scoreline.
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Katsina United’s coach, Tony Bolus, attempted to change the course of the game with a double substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Okoko Junior and Azeez Falolu for Usman Bara’u and Mansoor Saleh, respectively. However, Kano Pillars held their ground firmly, securing a consecutive victory over their arch-rivals.
With the derby triumph behind them, Coach Abdul Maikaba has already shifted his focus to the upcoming Matcday three-fixture against Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Wednesday. Maikaba expressed his desire for the team to continue improving and achieve better results in the league.
In a post-match interview, Coach Abdul Maikaba commended his players, acknowledging that they executed the game plan effectively. He described the victory as a rewarding outcome, especially after their earlier 1-0 loss in an away game. Maikaba emphasized the significance of the win for his youthful team and affirmed their commitment to securing victory against Abia Warriors in the upcoming clash
He said: “My team will continue to improve and work for victory against Abia Warriors on Wednesday.’’ said.
