By Ahmad Elnafaty
Kano Pillars attacking winger Yusuf Abdullahi scored five goals in 60 sensational minutes as Kano Pillars crush Gombe United 5-2 in front of their fans at the Pantami Stadium in one of Sunday’s five fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
It was a stunning performance from the young talented winger, who had not scored a goal prior to this remarkable display against the Savannah Scorpions.
Abdullahi had gone into the game with a question mark over his form and a patchy display against Bendel Insurance last week when they were held a goalless draw at home.
Kano Pillars took the game to Gombe United from the start. The home team looked vulnerable out wide and Kano Pillars opener came through Fahad’s cross from the left, and Abdullahi connected well with the ball to tap in for one-nil. Abdullahi struck again on 14 minutes as he took former Gombe United midfielder, Aminu Mohammed’s pass and curled the ball with his left foot from outside the box into the top corner of the net for two-nil.
Gombe United pulled one back three minutes later when Sadiq Shuaibu scored with a brilliant volley on the turn from Abba Maigari’s cross. Abdullahi completed his treble on 33 minutes with a classy finish.
In added time of first half, Abdullahi made it 4-1 to Kano Pillars. Moments later Abba Maigari won a free-kick in the opponents’ half where Sadiq stepped in on the set piece, crossed in the ball and Ahmed Jimoh headed in from six yards for Gombe United to trim the lead to two at halftime.
On 60 minutes, Yusuf Abdullahi took a touch to wrong-foot a Gombe United defender on the edge of the area from Rabiu Ali’s pass and clinically dispatched a low curling shot beyond Itodo Akor’s reach to make it 5-2.
The win took Kano Pillars into the top half of the standings as they prepare to face struggling Akwa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium this midweek while Gombe United make the trip to Lafia City Stadium to square up against Lobi Stars.