Kano Pillars Football Club secured a vital 1-0 victory over fellow Kano side Barau FC in a Match Day 29 fixture of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
The match, held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, saw a large turnout of supporters despite the ongoing Ramadan fast. Pillars were determined to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Shooting Stars FC in the previous round and showed resilience from the start.
The first half saw both teams battle for midfield dominance and solid defensive efforts, with neither able to break the deadlock.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when veteran striker Ahmed Musa capitalized on a well-executed corner kick from Mustapha Jibrin to score the only goal of the match.
Barau FC responded with an increased attacking drive in search of an equalizer, but Pillars’ defense, led by a solid goalkeeper, held firm, blocking multiple attempts.
In the final stages, Kano Pillars focused on defending their lead, successfully repelling Barau FC’s late attempts to equalize.
Speaking after the match, Kano Pillars’ head coach, Babagaru Muhammad, praised his team for their resilience and determination, describing the victory as crucial for their confidence.
“The players showed great discipline throughout the match. It was a good performance,” Muhammad said. “We’ll continue to work hard for our next game against Niger Tornadoes FC.”
The win lifted Kano Pillars to 35 points, moving them up to 16th place on the NPFL table. Ahmed Musa was named Man of the Match for his decisive goal.
