Rabiu Ali scored a late penalty as Kano Pillars defeated Bendel Insurance 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, in a matchday 11 encounter in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Saturday, Afrosport reports.
Both sides endured a cagey first half, which ended goalless with little to show for. The second half also produced few chances, but in the seventh minute of added time, Pillars were awarded a penalty after Bendel’s defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area.
Matchday Triumph!
The legendary Rabiu Ali strikes again! His decisive goal sealed a crucial victory for us over Bendel Insurance in the NPFL25 Matchday 11 clash.
Long live the King 👑#KanoPillarsFC#SaiMasuGida #NPFL25 #Victory pic.twitter.com/NqjhCQ5KQf
— Kano Pillars FC (@pillarsfc) November 9, 2024
Veteran midfielder Ali then stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his sixth goal of the season, as the 44-year-old sealed all maximum points for Pillars.
The Kano-based club moved into fourth in the NPFL standings with 17 points, while the Benin Arsenals remained 14th with 12 points as the Monday Odigie-led side suffered their second consecutive home defeat after also losing 2-1 to Abia Warriors on matchday nine.
In Saturday’s other game, Lobi Stars came from behind to defeat Abia Warriors 3-1 at their adopted Lafia City Stadium in Nasarawa.
FT.
|3-1|#LOBABI #Warriors ⚪ pic.twitter.com/mYJCb6n7Nx
— Abia Warriors FC (@AbiaWarriors) November 9, 2024
It was Lobi’s first game under Finnish coach Mika Lonnstrom, who took over the head coach duties from ex-Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi.
The Warriors dropped into ninth in the NPFL standings with 14 points from 11 games, while the Lobi Stars moved into 16th with 12 points.
THE LOG.
Here’s how things stand after today’s Matchday 11 results:
▫️Kano Pillars FC move into 4th place.
▫️Lobi Stars FC move out of the drop zone.#NPFL25 pic.twitter.com/xWpYQqDOQ0
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) November 9, 2024
