NPFL: Pillars win thriller as Doma United dominate away tie
Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Two produced a limited number of fixtures over the weekend, with Kano Pillars providing the biggest talking point after edging Niger Tornadoes 3-2 in a five-goal contest.
The reduced programme was largely due to the involvement of some Nigerian clubs in CAF inter-club competitions, which affected the number of domestic league matches played.
Champions Rangers International and Rivers United were involved in the CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors had engagements in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Despite the fewer fixtures, there were still important results across the centres, with Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United and Plateau United securing victories at home, while Doma United recorded the only away win among the games played.
Kano Pillars claimed their first victory of the season with a 3-2 win over Niger Tornadoes in an entertaining encounter.
Ubong Friday put Pillars ahead in the 40th minute before Fabian Nworie doubled the advantage three minutes into first-half added time.
Nworie struck again in the 54th minute to complete his brace and put the home side firmly in control at 3-0.
Tornadoes, however, refused to surrender.
Godfrey Joseph pulled one back in the 73rd minute before Wasiu Jimoh scored in the 90th minute to set up a tense finish.
Pillars survived the late pressure to secure all three points, bouncing back after surrendering a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw at Kwara United on the opening weekend.
Nasarawa United also collected maximum points after beating Bendel Insurance 1-0.
There was little to separate the teams before Sam Pam broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.
His goal proved enough for the Solid Miners, who protected their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The victory was an important response from Nasarawa United following their 3-1 defeat at Barau FC on Matchday One.
Plateau United made home advantage count with a 1-0 victory over Kwara United.
Alex Aghahowa scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute and the Jos side held on for the remainder of the contest.
Kwara United were unable to reproduce the comeback that earned them a 2-2 draw against Kano Pillars in their opening fixture.
Doma United recorded an impressive 1-0 away victory against newly promoted Inter Lagos.
The Lagos side, who began their first NPFL campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Shooting Stars, were hoping to make their home debut count but found Doma United difficult to break down.
The decisive moment arrived in the 71st minute when Sadiq Rilwan found the net for the visitors.
Doma United protected the advantage to leave Lagos with all three points and continue their encouraging start to the new season.
Kun Khalifat and Barau FC played out the only goalless draw among the fixtures.
Both clubs went into the encounter looking to build on encouraging opening-day performances.
Kun Khalifat had earned a 0-0 draw away to Abia Warriors on their NPFL debut, while Barau started their campaign with an impressive 3-1 home victory against Nasarawa United.
Neither side could find a breakthrough this time, leaving them to settle for a point each.
Attention will now turn to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, where Ranchers Bees will host Abia Warriors today to complete another fixture in the reduced Matchday Two programme.
The encounter was initially scheduled for Sunday but was postponed because the stadium was unavailable for the game.
Both teams will be searching for their first victory of the season.
Ranchers Bees began their campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to Ikorodu City, despite taking the lead, while Abia Warriors were held to a goalless draw at home by Kun Khalifat.
Today’s encounter therefore offers both clubs an early opportunity to improve their positions after failing to collect maximum points from their opening fixtures.
NPFL Matchday Two Results:
Kano Pillars 3-2 Niger Tornadoes
Nasarawa United 1-0 Bendel Insurance
Plateau United 1-0 Kwara United
Inter Lagos 0-1 Doma United
Kun Khalifat 0-0 Barau FC
Today’s Fixture:
Monday
Ranchers Bees vs. Abia Warriors
Crédito: Link de origem