Kano Pillars Jr laboured in a hard fought 1-0 victory over Giadano FC of Kano in an opening fixture of the Nationwide League Division one at the Sani Abacha Stadium played last Friday.
The game which was a derby had so many anxious momemts for both teams , as Giadano FC, a team making his debut in division one having gained promotion from division two to the top division of the Nigeria Nationwide League played with cohesion and understanding, sticking to the game plan of using counter attack whenever Pillars Jr. loses the ball in their bid to have the curtain raiser in the encounter through the attacking trio of Yahaya Baballe, Yusuf Faisal and Bala Yusuf.
While Pillars continued to pile pressure on the defense of Giadano Fc still searching on how to inflict a deficit on the visiting team, but it was Giadono fc that threatened with the first shot on target in the 9th minute through Al – Hassan Ahmed and Mohammed Kabiru in goal for Pillars Jr.was equal to the task.
It became a ding dong affair as both teams tries to outwit each other in the battle for the control of the game and it was Kano Pillars Jr. that took the lead through a well taken free kick that was nodded by Yusuf Faisal from the edge of the box and it was well connected aireally by Bala Yusuf in the 40th minute of the game as the home team gave their fans something to cheer at the end of first half.
It was a different ball game in the second half as Giadano Fc introduced Abubakar Ibrahim in the attack to support t Al Hassan Ahmed and the two strikers threatened Pillars Jr.defense but their final touch of the ball robbed them the much sought after equaliser in the game as Ibrahim Musa tutored side began their campaign on a laborious win against debutants, Giadano FC of Kano.
In other games played in the Nigeria Nationwide league over the weekend, most teams playing at home were on the winning side. FC Abuja playing at home against Katsina Feeders defeated their counterparts 2-0. The same scoreline were recorded for the home team when Yobe Stars hosted Flash Flamingoes, As Racines defeating Gray International and Delta Stars beating Papilo FC . Enyimba FC Feeders edged Ebonyi United 1-0, while Kaduna Bees recorded the same scoreline against Lobi Jr. Stars .
However , the first away win in the Nigeria Nationwide league was recorded in the first week when Ibom Youths Fc lost at home 1-2 to Garden City Fc of Portharcourt, while it was stalemate for Niger Tornadoes Feeders and Bida Lions.
Speaking, Shola Ogunnowo , the scribe of the league body, who was at the Sani Abacha stadium to watch the game between Pillars Jr. and Giadano fc said that the turnout of the fans at the stadium was very impressive and the standard of the game was high and Giadano Fc, though a new comer gave Pillars Jr a good run for their money and the result across other venues have been very encouraging especially the away win of Garden City FC against Ibom Youths FC in Uyo.
“I am really impressed with the fans . They came out in their numbers and it is very encouraging for a game in the Nigeria Nationwide League. I must also state here that Giadano fc did not disappoint me despite the fact that they lost.”
He added : The away win of Garden City against Ibom Youths FC is a big plus for the league and other results in week one have shown that this league will be more competitive this season.” he concluded.
