Veteran Super Eagles Star Powers Kano Pillars Past Katsina United

The visitors won on the opening weekend of the championship but fell in Kaduna to a Rabiu Ali-inspired Maisu Gida on matchday two

Super Eagles star Rabiu Ali was yet again the hero of the show as four-time Nigeria league winners Kano Pillars forced a 2-0 defeat down Katsina United’s throat at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Sunday.

The 40-year-old forward doubled the home side’s advantage in the 27th minute, following David Ebuka’s opener in the seventh minute of the encounter.

Ali, one of Pillars greatest ever players and a winner of three of the club’s four league titles, also got his side’s only goal in the 1-1 draw at Adamawa United last weekend.

An 18-time Nigeria international, Ali now boasts two goals in his first two games of the 2020-21 NPFL season.

At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Dakkada FC came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Jigawa Golden Stars.

Mohammed Abubakar put the visitors in front in the 25th minute after the hosts failed to clear a corner kick.

But with the last kick of the half, Dakkada captain Aniekan Ekpe emphatically sent a free-kick home from the edge of the box for the equaliser.

And the turnaround was completed eight minutes after the break when Solomon Chigozie headed home brilliantly from close range after an exquisite cross by Aniekan Ekpe.

At the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu, Enugu Rangers claimed their first victory of the season with a 1-0 defeat of Akwa United.

Israel Abia got the match-winner for the hosts nodding home on the hour mark following brilliant work on the flanks by Ifeanyi Nweke.

The only away win of the day was at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, where Nasarawa United pulled off a 2-1 victory at the traditional home of Heartland FC.

Chinedu Ohanachom benefited from a defensive lapse to put the away team in front in the 14th minute. But Shedrack Oghali, within minutes of coming off the bench, levelled proceedings for the Naze Millionaires just past the hour mark.

Nasarawa would not be denied the win their performance merited, scoring the winning goal in the 74th minute.

Tricky forward Silas Nwankwo glided past his marker before slipping a pass to Adamu Hassan, who finished expertly to put the visitors back in the lead.

Nasarawa United, having also beaten Wikki Tourists 2-1 last weekend in the season opener at the Lafia City Stadium, now top the NPFL table with the maximum six points.

The results of the NPFL matches played on matchday two are: 

Kano Pillars 2-0 Katsina Utd

Heartland 1-2 Nasarawa Utd

Rangers 1-0 Akwa Utd

Dakadda 2-1 Jigawa GS

Sunshine Stars 1-0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Lobi 1-0 MFM

Wolves 1-0 Adamawa Utd