Mass turnout of fans in Kano as Pillars crush Rangers in NPFL opener • Enyimba go down; new boys impress News

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Mass turnout of fans in Kano as Pillars crush Rangers in NPFL opener • Enyimba go down; new boys impress

By Adeyinka Akintunde, with reports on February 21, 2016

The Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano this evening recorded a massive turnout of fans to watch Kano Pillars take on Enugu Rangers, in spite of the fact that a big match was going on in England between Chelsea and Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The match lived up to its billing, with Pillars coming from a goal down to beat the Flying Antelopes 2-1 in an opening day match of the Nigeria Professional Football League. New signing Chiemaka Madu gave Rangers an unlikely lead when he headed home off a superb cross from the right by Osas Okoro in the 50th minute.

However, skipper Gambo Mohammed restored parity in the 77th minute, when he coolly slotted home from inside the box after the persistence of substitute Adamu Hassan.

In stoppage time, Prince Aggreh crowned his Pillars debut with the match winner when he cut in from the left before he let fly and send the capacity crowd into wild jubilation.

Lobi Stars stunned homers Shooting Stars of Ibadan 1-0 away, beginning their season on a flying start. Elsewhere, defending champions Enyimba International of Aba lost in Port Harcourt to Rivers United. A solitary goal from Frederick Obomate, through a freekick, won the first three points if the season for the Port Harcourt amalgamated clubside.

In Lagos, new boys Ikorodu United played out a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors. Ndifreke Effiong had put Abia Warriors ahead, but Austin Agbane equalised for the Lagos side.

Another new comer, MFM FC, also of Lagos, did even better, beating better fancied Nassarawa United 2-1 in Nassarawa. It was not totally unexpected when FC Ifeanyi Ubah, parading their Brazilian imports, beat hosts Giwa FC of Jos, 1-0.

Heartland and Warri Wolves played out 0-0 in Owerri, as Sunshine Stars played 1-1 with Akwa United.

All the Week 1 Results

Plateau United 2-1 Niger Tornadoes (Saturday)

Giwa FC 0-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

El Kanemi 0-1 Wikki Tourists

Kano Pillars 2-1 Enugu Rangers

Nassarawa 1-2 MFM FC

Ikorodu Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors

Rivers Utd 1-0 Eyimba

Heartland 0-0 Warri Wolves

Shooting Stars 0-1 Lobi Stars

Sunshine Stars 1-1 Akwa Utd