Kwara United secured a valuable away point after a 1-1 draw against Kano Pillars on Matchday 8 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), held at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
The Harmony Boys controlled possession from the outset, with midfielders Akanni Akeem and Shola AbdulRaheem dictating play. Defenders Anthony Anioke and Yahaya Ibrahim effectively contained the threat posed by Kano Pillars’ star players, including former Super Eagles internationals Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi.
After a goalless first half, Kwara United stunned the hosts with a 59th-minute opener from Issa Gatta. However, Kano Pillars quickly responded, as Mohammed Zulikifulu netted an equalizer just six minutes later.
Despite Kano Pillars’ efforts to find a winning goal, Kwara United’s goalkeeper, Nurudeen Badmus, pulled off several critical saves, supported by a resolute defense led by Ibrahim, Anioke, and Kabir Muhammed.
**Post-match Reactions:**
Kwara United’s Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, expressed pride in his team’s performance but regretted a brief defensive lapse that cost them a victory. “We’ll keep building on this progress,” he affirmed.
Kano Pillars’ Coach, Ahmed Yaro Yaro, acknowledged Kwara United’s midfield strength and attributed the result to a defensive error. “We’ll come back stronger in future matches,” he assured.
The draw places Kwara United in 12th position on the NPFL table, with 9 points from 7 games. They head to Maiduguri for their next fixture.
