Former EUROMATCH-NPFL champions Kano Pillars failed to win in three successive matches this season following a 1-1 draw at home against Sporting Lagos on Saturday.
The Kano club had previously played out a goalless draw with Enyimba at home and had earlier been held to a 1-1 draw at Inter Lagos.
Daniel Ogunmodede’s men were favourites going into the first game of Matchday 7 against promoted side, Sporting Lagos.
In what many may see as a bizarre selection, Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffery Buter to hand Clinton Lawani his first start of the season ahead of their first-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.
Lawani did not disappoint as he made sure to shut out Kano Pillars from taking the lead in the moments of the contest.
He kept out attempts from Rabiu Ali, Ahmed Musa and Yahaya Ibrahim and even pulled off a double save.
The Tech Boys however had their moment in stoppage time before the break when
Valentine Ugwu pounced on a follow-up to roll the ball into the an empty net to give Sporting Lagos the lead after Onyebuchi Frank couldn’t deal with an attacking threat.
However, the Tech Boys’ lead only lasted three minutes into the second half as Abdullahi Musa headed home at the back off Rabiu Ali’s corner kick to level the score for Kano Pillars.
Lawani continued with his impressive display between the sticks for the Lagos club by staying alert to keep out Rabiu Ali’s free kick just before the hour mark.
Ogunmodede switched things up with his playing personnel by sending on Nasiru Salihu, Nazifi Yahaya, Ibrahim Sani Haliru, Ubong Friday and Rivio Ayemwenre for Rabiu Ali, Ahmed Musa, Fabian Nworie, Yahaya Ibrahim and Shola Abdulraheem in a bid to force a winner.
The Tech Boys managed the final moments of the match well to earn their seventh point in four away matches (W2 D1 L1).
Kano Pillars will make the trip to Ibadan in midweek to face Shooting Stars in a rearranged fixture while Sporting Lagos will play hosts to Bendel Insurance on Matchday 8.
Matchday 7 of the EUROMATCH-NPFL will be rounded off on Sunday with nine fixtures.