By: Godwin Nathaniel
The maiden edition of the Presidential Pre-Season Cup hit fearsome crescendo on Sunday evening as Kano Pillars held Akwa United to a 1-1 draw to emerge champions after going unbeaten in the tourney.
The Sai Masu Gida were pegged back in the first half with Akwa United finding neat strings of passes and playing out comfortably from the back.
On the 22nd minute, Kano Pillars defence crumbled after another wave of Akwa United attack, this time it came with purpose. Adewale Adeyinka played out from behind with his two central defenders, Gbadebo Samson and Dennis Nya, the ball went down the right flank and found Seth Mayi, his cross field pass found Ezekiel Bassey who was free down the left.
Ezekiel took on two defenders before finishing with poise over the head of Joshua Enaholo, Pillars’ GK.
Tempers flared after Kano Pillars felt they should have had a penalty in the 43rd minute but the bold referee Anna declined their cry and waved play on, with the half reaching a halt.
In the second half, Kano Pillars launched several onslaughts on Akwa United, as the NPFL champions had little to offer going forward. Coach Ibrahim Musa threw in Kokoette Udoh in place of Aniekeme Okon and peerless Rabiu Ali made way for Mark Daniel.
In 60th minute, Akwa United survived another scare as Yusuf Maigoro’s cut-back met Abdullahi Adamu but Akwa GK, Adewale made a brilliant stop, unable to clear the danger, a goal mouth scramble ensued as a double goal line clearance spared Akwa United’s blushes.
To change their fortunes, Coach Boboye subbed in Adams Yakubu for Dare Ojo, as the Promise Keepers searched for a second goal. They created half chances but that was all there were. Half chances.
Kano Pillars’ pressure paid off on the 88th minute. It was Mustapha Jubrin who had space to hit a sublime strike from 25yards, as the ball flew over Adewale Adeyinka to send the Pillars fans into frenzy.
With 3 minutes added, Akwa United did not have the luxury of time to react with the final whistle blown after a half well-managed by Pillars.
Kano Pillars amassed a total of seven points, after wins against Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars, 3-1 and 2-1 respectively.
Sunshine Stars finished in second place with 6 points. The Akure Gunners bounced back from an opening day 1-3 loss to Pillars to defeat Akwa United and Lobi Stars 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.
Akwa United: so close but so far away. Opening day win against Lobi (1-0) but the NPFL champs lost narrowly to Sunshine Stars after leading first and drew against Pillars to amass 4 points.
Lobi Stars couldn’t pick any point as they lost 2-1, 1-0 and 1-0 against Kano Pillars, Akwa United and Sunshine Stars.
After three days of football fiesta at the MKO Abiola Stadium organized by the S.A to the President on Sports, Daniel Amokachi, D’Bull, the teams will turn focus to the league, which kicks off this Friday.
