Kano Pillars vs Sporting Lagos: Musa Cancels Out Ugwu as Pillars Stay Unbeaten

Kano Pillars vs Sporting Lagos ended 1-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday, as Abdullahi Musa’s equaliser early in the second half cancelled out Valentine Ugwu’s first-half stoppage-time goal and kept Pillars unbeaten after six NPFL matches.

Lawani keeps Sporting Lagos alive against the run of play

Pillars controlled long spells of the first half, and veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali was at the centre of most of it. His free-kicks tested Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Clinton Lawani more than once, and Lawani’s saves kept the visitors level while the home side pushed for an opener.

Sporting Lagos struck against the run of play in first-half added time. Ugwu was first to a rebound and finished from close range, sending the Lagos side into the break with a lead they had done little to build.

Musa’s quick reply rescues a point for Pillars

Pillars needed only a few minutes after the restart to draw level. Rabiu Ali created the chance and Musa converted it, restoring the momentum the hosts had in the first half. Both sides went looking for a winner from there, and Sporting Lagos had a good opportunity to go back in front when Aliyu Baba missed from close range, but neither goalkeeper was beaten again.

The draw takes Pillars to 10 points from six games with two wins and four draws, keeping them among the few sides yet to lose this season. Sporting Lagos move to nine points from seven matches, and it’s their third straight league draw after they held Barau FC at Onikan and played out a goalless Lagos derby with Ikorodu City in midweek.

Sunday’s NPFL fixtures could reshape the top of the table

The rest of Matchday 7 is scheduled for Sunday, with every game kicking off at 4pm according to the official NPFL fixtures list. Leaders Rangers face Abia Warriors in the Oriental derby in Awka, Rivers United host Ikorodu City in Port Harcourt and Barau travel to Benin City, so Pillars could find themselves further from the summit by Sunday night. Enyimba’s home game against Plateau United comes a day after assistant coach Kelvin Ejeh resigned.