By George Akpayen
Ahmed Musa was the star performer as he inspired Kano Pillars to a 4-3 win over Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu while Anas Yusuf scored a hattrick for Nasarawa United in their 3-0 win over Abia Warriors on Wednesday.
Musa, 32, was involved in all four goals for his club before scoring the fourth to round off a dominant first half performance.
It was a game of two halves as Kano Pillars had their say in the first. Rabiu Ali started the goalscoring from the spot on 19 after Musa’s cross was handled in the box. Musa was on hand to assist Zulkifilu Muhammed to double the lead for Pillars 10 minutes later.
On 41 minutes, Musa was fouled in the box and Ali made no error in scoring his second goal of the game from the spot. On the stroke of halftime, Musa capped an impressive performance by scoring a brilliant individual goal when he side-stepped past a marker and rounded off Rangers goalkeeper Japhet Opubo before passing into an empty to make it 4-0 to Kano Pillars at halftime.
The champions returned for the second 45 a different. Right from the restart, Isaac Saviour scored and on 59 minutes, he was on hand to cut Kano Pillars’ lead to two. Silas Nenrot scored on 90 minutes but Rangers could not fight back in nine added minutes as they succumbed 3-4 at home.
Anas put up a second half show at the Lafia City Stadium by scoring three goals in the space of 14 minutes to see off any kind of resistance from Abia Warriors after a goalless first half.
The Nasarawa United captain scored on 56, 58 and 70 minutes. It is his second hattrick of the season which now pushes him to the top of the goalscrorers chart with eight goals in seven matches.
The early kickoff at the Lafia City Stadium between Lobi Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors produced four goals and ended two goals apiece. Daniel Amokachi hoping to get his first NPFL win as Lobi head coach watched as his men raced into a two -goal lead through Ossy Martins inside the hour mark.
Lobi then blew their two-goal lead when Ibrahim Mustapha and Mukhtar Mohammed scored on 57 and 90 minutes for El-Kanemi Warriors to extend their unbeaten run to six matches this season.
Nine-time champions Enyimba had to fight back to claim a point at home against Niger Tornadoes who have been superb on the road this season. Majin Mohammed’s men went in front three minutes before the break through Godstime Joseph.
Substitute Chinedu Ufere saved Enyimba the embarrassment of losing at home 14 minutes before time when he turned home the ball from close range following a goalmouth melee.
Another worthy mention from Wednesday’s matches was Wasiu Alalade. The attacking winger scored two first half goals for Kwara United while Shola Abdulraheem added the third from a rebound after Akeem Akanni’s spot kick was saved by Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori. Kwara United won 3-0.
Matchweek 7 will continue on Thursday with the top-two Remo Stars and Rivers United facing Plateau United and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) respectively.
Three other matches will also hold in Benin City, Katsina and Owerri to round off the matchday.