Kano Pillars, Enyimba continue renaissance, Lobi wins first game

Kano Pillars and Enyimba of Aba, which finished first and second in the 2013/2014 season, continued their march up the Glo Premier League table yesterday when they beat Gabros and El Kanemi Warriors respectively in their Week 10 games.

Both teams at the weekend recorded away wins to move closer to the top, where Sunshine Stars and Giwa FC are currently holding sway.

Playing at their Sani Abacha Stadium home, Pillars defeated Gabros 2-1 with Moses Ekpai and Rabiu Ali accounting for the goals, while Oluchukwu Nwosu got Gabros’ lone strike.

The game between the newcomers, Gabros, who have shown that they are ready to ruffle some feathers and Pillars, took off on a furious note with the Nnewi boys aiming to be the first away team to win in Kano in three years. But they were notified of the hard task before them midway into the game Azeez Shobowale tried an audacious lob aimed at catching Gabros’ goalkeeper, Fidelis Eze, unawares, but he reached back to save the situation.

The tie remained scoreless for four more minutes before Ekpai broke his duck with a header off a tantalizing cross from Rabiu Ali.

Ali increased the tally in the 25th minute when he nodded in a cross from Ekpai, but that rather than dispirit the Nnewi boys, brought out the fight in them.

They had a chance to reduce the tally in the 40th minute when Onyekachi Uchechukwu had the sight of goal, but his shot was deflected by goalkeeper Joel Afelokhai.

Pillars had an opportunity to make scores 3-0 and take the game beyond Gabros when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half, but Ali missed the target. And that miss served as a call to arms for Gabros, who took the game to their hosts.

Gabros got the goal they deserved through Nwosu Oluchukwu, who reduced the deficit off a through ball from substitute Onyekachi Uchechukwu.

In Aba, Enyimba beat El Kanemi 3-1 with goals from Markson Ojobo (two goals) and Peter Onyekachi; while Lobi Stars got their first win of the season with a 1-0 defeat of Heartland in Makurdi.

In other games, Akwa United defeated 3SC 2-1 in Uyo, Giwa FC held Sharks to a 1-1 draw in Port Harcourt, Dolphins also got a 1-1 draw at Taraba FC, while Sunshine Stars beat Kwara United 1-0, just as Enugu Rangers drew goalless with Nasarawa United.