NPFL Review: Kano Pillars stage another late comeback to rescue a point; Heartland and Rangers end goalless in Owerri

For the fourth game in a row, Kano Pillars scored late to secure a point at the Lafia Township in Lafia where they faced their host, Lobi Stars in a Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL matchday 13 fixture.

Lobi Stars struck twice in the first half via John Victor Ekioke on seven minutes and Liman Amadou in the 14th minute, but the visitors also scored twice in two second half minutes (76th minute by Rabiu Al and 78th minute by Mustapha Umar) to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Kano Pillars scored on 92 minutes to secure all points in their 2-1 win against Plateau United early this month before a Rabiu Ali’s 97th minute strike at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin gave Pillars their second win in a row.

The team returned home and needed a 75th minute goal by Ahmed Musa to drew 2-2 with Heartland at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano before the trip to Lafia.

At the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, NPFL debutant, Ikorodu City FC extended their unbeaten run to four games when they forced their host, Niger Tornadoes to a goalless draw.

The Oga Boys had won their last three games before the trip to Minna and defied expectations yet again.

At the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri, Heartland FC stopped their losing run in the NPFL to Rangers as they forced the visitors to a goalless draw to extend Emmanuel Ameuneke’s unbeaten run to five games while the Flying Antelopes have now gone six games without losing.

There was a winner however at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin where Bendel Insurance defeated visiting Kwara United 3-1 to move out of the bottom of the log.

The Edo Arsenal scored twice in the first half through Nazir Mohammed (7th and 29th minute) with Kwara United’s Emmanuel Ogbole netting in between the two goals on 23 minutes.

The host scored what in local parlance is referred to as the ‘insurance’ goal in the 84th minute through Austine Ogunye to secure all three points.

Also in Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors emerged the winner, beating visiting Akwa United 1-0 via an Ibrahim Mustapha’s strike at the El Kanemi stadium.