Two first half goals were all Nasarawa United needed to blow
away the Kano giants’ home invincibility on Sunday and end a 12 year unbeaten
run that dated back to 2003.
Rabiu Ali halved the deficit after the break but it simply
was not enough to salvage a point. The return of star player, Gambo Mohammed,
who had been sidelined due to gunshot received from a robbery attack from the
start of the season, could not lift the Baba Ganaru-tutored side as it look
increasingly likely that the defending champions would be surrendering their
title this season with Sunshine Stars and Enyimba
International setting the pace.
The last time Pillars lost at home was a 1-2 reverse in the
hands of Julius Berger, a feat dating over 120 matches ago.
Nasarawa United showed early intent in
the 12th minute when a former Pillars striker, Mannir Ubale received a through
pass from Eugene Obi and placed perfectly to the right corner of the net. Four
minutes later Bature Yaro made it 2-0 from a super delivery by the classy
Ubale.
Pillars pulled one back on resumption
in the 46th minute when when Rabiu Ali tucked home from a loose ball in a
goalmouth scramble.
Pillars manager, Mohammed Baba Ganaru,
who had actually started the season with Nasarawa United before moving back to
Mai Su Gida which he had led to the league title last season, could not conjure
the magic to further unlock a stubborn Nasarawa United who spend the remaining
minutes of the game defending their advantage.
Nasarawa United would have made it
three with a counter-attack in the last moments of the game, but Ugochukwu
Leonard was not clinical enough, missing an open goal with few inches.
Pillars will now travel to Jalingo for
a date with FC Taraba after two losses on the trot while Nasarawa United play
host to Kwara United on match day 26 on Sunday 30th August.