By Dayo Awoniyi
Kano Pillars remain hopeful of securing a continental ticket despite recent challenges, following a crucial 2-0 victory over Lobi Stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Technical Adviser Usman Sheriff Sidi Abdallah expressed satisfaction with the result, describing it as a morale booster for the squad as the season nears its conclusion.
“We needed this win badly. It boosts the morale in the dressing room and sets the tone for the final stretch,” Abdallah said after the match.
“We are not giving up on continental qualification. There’s still a lot to fight for.”
The win lifts Kano Pillars to seventh place on the NPFL table with 47 points from 33 matches.
Goals from Ahmed Musa and Naziru Auwalu secured the three points for the Sai Masu Gida at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Up next for the Pillars is a high-stakes encounter against Enyimba International in what has been dubbed the Zobia Clásico, a fixture known for its intensity and fierce rivalry.
Despite facing a challenging path, Kano Pillars remain determined to push for a top-three finish that would secure a return to continental football.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
