Kano Pillars recorded the biggest win of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 21 matches after a 5-1 rout of Sunshine Stars of Akure yesterday at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Nigerian International, Mustapha Ibrahim, scored a brace while Auwalu Ali Malam, Rabin Ali and Umar Mustapha scored a goal each for Pillars to climb to third on the league table with 36 points. Malam started the rout with the opening goal in the 4th minute before captain Ali doubled the lead in the 21st minute, Ibrahim increased the lead in the 48th minute and grabbed his brace four minutes later before Mustapha sealed victory with the fifth in the 55th minute. The visitors got their consolation goal in the 90th minute of the match.
Elsewhere, 10-man Bayelsa United stunned Akwa United 1-0 after Eyong Ofem scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute to brighten their chances of surviving the drop. At the Lafia Township Stadium, Kumaga Suur scored in the 68th minute as Lobi Stars defeated hapless Heartland 1-0 to return to the top of the table just as Ikenna Offor’s lone goal in the 76th minute was enough for Niger Tornadoes to beat Abia Warriors at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. And after a string of poor results Gombe United bounced to winning ways with an emphatic 2-0 win over newcomers Sporting FC at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Lukman Balogun set the hosts on victory path with the opener before the first half break and on resumption, Yusuf Taiye scored the match winner for the ‘Savannah Scorpions’ in the 76th minute.
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Meanwhile, the tie between Rivers United and Remo Stars was postponed due to the farmer’s continental engagement yesterday.
