El Kanemi Warriors were able to secure a 2-1 home triumph over Kano Pillars in the last Game Day 2 NPFL abridged format season in spite being down to 10-men as a result of her captain, Bello Musa Kofarmata being sent off.
The host scored the first goal of the match when her captain, Bello Musa Kofarmata glides past Kano Pillars Usman Fahad in the box, then curls a low brilliant individual strike beyond goal keeper Danladi Isah in the 20th minute.
El Kanemi goal keeper Akor Itodo denied Kano Pillars of an immediate equaliser in the 24th minute when he produced a good save to keep out Rabiu Ali’s free kick. On the dot of 45 minute Kano Pillars got their deserved equaliser as Rabiu Ali manoeuvres past Babatunde Solomon and Innocent Gabriel to calmly picks his spot after superb work from Nyima Nwagua to make it El Kanemi 1-1 Kano Pillars.
At half time the game stood at 1-1 with goals from Bello Musa Kofarmata and Rabiu Ali.
In the 50th minute of the second half, El Kanemi pushed forward to try and regain her lead when a good passing move by Gabriel Innocent and Bello Kofarmata combine but the latter’s effort is saved by Pillars keeper Danladi. Four minutes later, Yeful took a pop at goal from outside the box as Pillars goalkeeper Danladi palms it to safety.
In the 55th minute, El Kanemi made a substitution as Ali Aliyu made way for Chinedu Ohanachom. Five minutes later, Pillars defender Anyawu was booked for a foul on Ohanachom.
As both sides try to get the much needed winning goal, El Kanemi Bello Kofarmata drags his effort off target under the challenge of Anyanwu. Nine minutes later, El Kanemi Warriors got their winning goal when Abdulrazak Aliyu heads El Kanemi back in the lead off a Sunday Anthony corner.
Kano Pillars pushed forward for another equaliser which resulted in El Kanemi captain Bello Musa Kofarmata being sent off for elbowing Victor Dennis. Efforts by Kano Pillars to break down 10-men El Kanemi defence proved abortive as host held on till full time to get a worthy 2-1 win.
FULL-TIME El-Kanemi 2-1 Kano Pillars
#ELKPIL #NPFL19 ⚽️ Bello Musa Kofarmata 20’, Abdulrazak Aliyu 71’ – Rabiu Ali 45’
The next round of fixtures come up this weekend.
Kanu Pillars will welcome Akwa United while El-Kanemi warriors visits Plateau United.
Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
