In a dramatic Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter on Saturday, November 23, 2024, Kano Pillars FC staged a remarkable comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Lobi Stars at the Lafia City Stadium. The performance was a testament to the tactical acumen of Technical Adviser Usman Abdallah, who orchestrated a second-half revival that salvaged a crucial point for the Sai Masu Gida.

The match began disastrously for Kano Pillars, with Lobi Stars racing to a 2-0 lead within 14 minutes. Ahmadu Liman struck in the 7th minute, followed by Ossy Martins doubling the lead in the 14th minute, leaving Pillars reeling and in dire need of a turnaround.

Abdallah’s response came in the form of bold substitutions during the interval. Ghanaian defender Rasheed Alasan replaced Ibrahim Inuwa to shore up the defense, while Mustapha Umar came on for Auwalu Ali Malam to boost the attack.

The changes didn’t stop there. In the 59th minute, Abdallah handed Umar Sani Yakasai his NPFL debut, replacing Yusuf Bala Maigoro. Bright Emmanuel was also introduced in place of Shehu Abdullahi, providing additional firepower. The tactical adjustments gradually shifted the momentum in Pillars’ favor.

The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Rabiu Ali, the NPFL’s all-time top scorer, delivered a sensational 45-yard free kick that left Lobi Stars goalkeeper Orya Joseph stranded. The goal, Ali’s 8th of the season and 126th in his NPFL career, reignited Pillars’ hopes.

Just a minute later, the Sai Masu Gida leveled the game. Ahmed Musa’s fierce shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Mustapha Umar was quick to capitalize on the rebound, scoring his second goal of the season and securing a well-earned point for Kano Pillars.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Abdallah praised his team’s fighting spirit but expressed frustration with their defensive frailties.

“We cannot continue this way. Together with my assistants, we will sit down and find ways to address this issue. We are the highest-scoring team in the league, so there is no reason why we should keep conceding silly goals. It’s unacceptable,” Abdallah said.

He also hinted at plans to reinforce the squad during the midseason transfer window, with a focus on recruiting a strong central defender to stabilize the backline.

The draw leaves Kano Pillars in 6th place with 19 points, trailing league leaders Remo Stars by four points. Pillars will sit out Match Day 14 as their scheduled home fixture against Enyimba International has been postponed due to Enyimba’s involvement in CAF Club Competitions.

With Abdallah’s tactical expertise and the team’s resilience, Kano Pillars remain strong contenders in the NPFL. However, addressing their defensive shortcomings will be critical if they hope to challenge for the title this season.