Ahmed Musa, Ali ‘Pele’ dazzle as Pillars win seven-goal thriller in Enugu

Ahmed Musa, Ali ‘Pele’ dazzle as Pillars win seven-goal thriller in Enugu

Kano Pillars’ legends, Ahmed Musa and Rabiu Ali ‘Pele’ rolled back their age once again as they guided the ‘Masu gida’ boys to 4-3 victory over title holders Enugu Rangers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 7 fixture played yesterday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Stadium Enugu.

In the contest of two halves, Pillars netted four goals in the first before Rangers rallied back to score three goals in the second for a more respectable score line.

Ageless Rabiu Ali opened the scoring for Pillars from the spot in the 15th minute, Zilkifilu Rabiu doubled the lead in the 28th minute before ‘Pele’ grabbed his brace in the 37th minute in what began to look like a one sided affair.

Before the break Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa grabbed the winning goal for Pillars and his third of the season when he outpaced Rangers defenders to slot the ball into the net with his left foot.

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However, on resumption, the tide changed as the hosts staged a fight back that saw Isaac Saviour scoring a brace in the 47th and 59th minute while Silas Nenrot further reduced the deficit with the third goal in the 90th minute.

However, Musa’s strike in the first half was the difference as Pillars stood firm to record their first away win of the season which took them to the sixth position on the log.

 At the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa United captain and leading goalscorer, Ana’s Yusuf, was the hero as his second hat-trick of the season (57, 59 and 70th minute), ensured the ‘Solid Miners’ dumped Abia Warriors 3-0 for the maximum points.

However, in the early kickoff at the same venue, Lobi Stars surrendered their two goal lead to draw 2-2 with the unbeaten El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

In-form striker, Ossy Martins, scored a brace in the 17th and 53rd minute for Lobi Stars but Nigerian international, Ibrahim Mustapha, responded with his own in the 57th and 86th minute for a share of the spoils.

Kwara United also bounced back to winning with 3-0 spanking of Sunshine Stars in Ilorin while Enyimba fought back to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Niger Tornadoes in Aba.

The remaining five Week seven matches will be played today across match venues.

Ahmed Musa, Ali ‘Pele’ dazzle as Pillars win seven-goal thriller in Enugu