Northern powerhouses in Nigerian football, Kano Pillars and Katsina United yesterday edged past EFCC Abuja and DMD of Maiduguri respectively in the opening matches of the ongoing Nigeria National League Super 8 Play-Off at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
Both clubs are seeking an immediate return to the topflight of the Nigerian league and they didn’t disappoint their teeming fans despite the slim scorelines.
The championship involving the eight top clubs from the Northern and Southern conferences of the 2023 NNL is to decide the four teams that will be promoted to the NPFL.
While Kano Pillars, Katsina United, EFCC and DMD are from the Northern Conference, One Rocket, Heartland, Sporting Club Lagos and Stormers SC Abeokuta are from the Southern Conference.
In the day’s opening match, former Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars subdued hard-fighting EFCC 1-0 after Williams Sunday broke the deadlock in the second half of the keenly contested match.
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Sunday’s goal which came in the 47th minute was enough to hand Pillars the competition’s first goal and the maximum points.
In his post-match interview, the Technical Adviser of Pillars, Evans Ogenyi, commended his players but said it wasn’t an easy contest for his side.
“It was a very competitive match. Both sides gave their all. You could see the hunger on both sides. The opening match of any competition of this nature is never easy.
“There was anxiety on both sides but I am happy that we took the only chance that fell to us. We now shift our attention to the next match tomorrow (today),” said the vastly experienced coach.
In the day’s second match, former Enyimba of Aba marksman, Victor Mbaoma, was the hero as his brace earned Katsina United a hard-fought 2-1 victory over DMD of Maiduguri.
The player who just returned from Tunisia put the ‘Chanji boys’ in front as early as the 14th minute and doubled the lead before the end of the half.
On resumption, DMD rallied back to reduce the deficit towards the end of the match, but it was not enough to deny Katsina United their opening victory of the promotional tournament.
Meanwhile, in today’s fixtures, Katsina United will be looking for two consecutive victories when they take on EFCC in the opening match while Kano Pillars take on DMD in the second match.
