Kano Pillars faced a tough challenge in their Nigeria Premier Football League Match Day 6 fixture, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Despite dominating significant portions of the game, the Sai Masu Gida couldn’t convert their control into goals, leaving them still in search of their first away victory of the season.
First Half Highlights:
The match started on a positive note for Pillars as they seized control early, pressuring the Akwa Utd defense. In the 12th minute, Sudais Ali Baba nearly put the visitors ahead with a powerful shot from outside the 18-yard box, only to be denied by a superb save from Akwa Utd’s goalkeeper.
However, despite their dominance, the Pyramid City side struggled to find the back of the net. As the first half drew to a close, Akwa Utd capitalized on a corner kick. In stoppage time Endurance Edibiri rose above the Pillars’ defense to head home, giving the home side a 1-0 lead at the break.
Second Half Action:
In the second half, Kano Pillars FC continued their pursuit of an equalizer, making tactical changes with Auwalu Ali Malam and Abdulmajid Aminu coming on to replace Rabiu Ali and Sudais Ali Baba in the 78th minute. The substitutions aimed to inject fresh energy into the attack, but Akwa Utd’s defense stood firm.
Then, in the 83rd minute, Akwa Utd struck again. This time, it was Friday Apolos who found the net, extending the lead to 2-0. The goal was a blow to the Sai Masu Gida, as they had been pressing hard for an equalizer but found themselves further behind.
Post-Match Reactions:
Following the game, Kano Pillars FC Technical Adviser Usman Abdallah expressed his disappointment with the result, taking full responsibility for the defeat. “We came here with the intention of taking all three points, but we have to accept this result and focus on the next game,” Abdallah stated.
He acknowledged that while the team dominated, they failed to capitalize on their chances, particularly in the first half.
Abdallah also addressed the defensive lapses during set pieces, which have been a recurring issue. He noted that despite dedicating training sessions to this aspect, the team conceded from a corner, emphasizing the need to work on defensive discipline moving forward.
Looking ahead, Kano Pillars will face Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in their midweek clash. With high expectations and a desire to bounce back, the team aims to secure a positive result and regain momentum as they prepare for their next home game against Kwara United. The Sai Masu Gida will be eager to make their mark in the coming fixtures as they continue their quest for a successful season.
