Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa delivered a standout performance for Kano Pillars in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday seven fixture, as they secured a 4-3 victory over defending champions Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, on Wednesday, October 16.
Coming off a 1-0 loss to Sunshine Stars on Sunday, Rangers fielded a much-improved lineup as the trio of Japhet Opubo, Stephen Ikenna, and Kenechukwu Agu all returned to the starting lineup against a Pillars side that was also looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Akwa United. However, it was the Sai Masu Gida who broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Rabiu Ali converted a penalty won by Musa.
Thirteen minutes later, Musa’s brilliance set up Zulkifilu Muhammed to double the visitors’s lead. Barely nine minutes later, Pillars replicated their first goal, with Ali converting another penalty earned by Musa before the former Leicester City winger crowned his excellent display with a superb solo goal in added time to make it 4-0.
Though trailing by four goals, Rangers mounted a spirited fightback in the second half. Isaac Saviour bagged a brace, and Silas Nenrot added another to bring the score to 4-3. However, Pillars held on to seal their first win over Rangers at the Cathedral for the first time since July 2011.
Elsewhere in Aba, Naija Tornadoes held Enyimba to a 1-1 draw, while El-Kanemi Warriors preserved their unbeaten start to the season by coming from two goals down to draw with Lobi Stars. Kwara United secured a 3-0 victory over Sunshine Stars, while Nasarawa United claimed a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors.
The matchday seven midweek action continues on Thursday, with Bendel Insurance hosting Bayelsa United, Katsina United facing Akwa United, Plateau United taking on Remo Stars, and Findi George’s Rivers United squaring off against Shooting Stars. Additionally, Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland will look to shrug off relegation worries in a clash with newly promoted Ikorodu City.
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