Key absences cost Kano Pillars in loss to Enyimba, says coach Usman Abdallah

By Wale Mustapha

Kano Pillars head coach Usman Abdallah has blamed the absence of key players for his team’s 2-1 defeat to Enyimba FC in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 34 fixture on Sunday.

The match, held at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, saw the “Peoples’ Elephant” edge out the “Pyramid Boys” in a closely contested encounter.

Abdallah revealed that his tactical preparations were significantly disrupted by the last-minute unavailability of three regular starters: captain Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, and vice-captain Fahad Usman.

“Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi, at the dying minute, could not get a flight for this match,” Abdallah told Complete Sports after the game.

“Fahad Usman was discovered to be suspended for one game, having received five yellow cards. Three regular players who had trained with us throughout the week were ruled out of the team, and I think that affected us.”

Kano Pillars will look to bounce back when they host Rivers United in their Matchday 35 clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano later this weekend.