Four-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Kano Pillars need either a draw or a win to gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League after a one-year absence, after a comfortable 2-0 victory over DMD FC in the Nigeria National League playoffs on Monday.
Kano Pillars were the superior side as they began the game in search of an early opener, with experienced midfielder Rabiu Ali pulling creative strings from midfield.
Evans Ogenyi’s side were then rewarded for their persistence in the 32nd minute when they got the opener through Mubarak Sani who slammed home a cross.
Things turned from bad to worse for DMD FC as they were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute after Anayo Ogbonna’s rough tackle on Ali.
The Maiduguri-based club kept on fighting vigorously despite the numerical disadvantage, but their feeble attack was thwarted by the resilient Pillars defence line.
Kano Pillars took total control of the game in the 85th minute when Substitute Haruna Abdullahi outpaced his marker before drilling in a low shot that beat the onrushing DMD goalkeeper Abba Daniel.
Their next match will be against neighbours Katsina United on Wednesday in the last match of the Northern Conference, for a place in the NNL Super 8 final on Friday.
