Enyimba lose to Kano Pillars in Kaduna

Enyimba Football Club failed to sustain a first half lead as Kano Pillars crawled from the rear to claim a 2-1 win at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Sunday evening.

Victor Mbaoma handed the hosts an early lead but Rabiu Ali pulled the hosts level from the spot before Ifeanyi Eze settled it with a winner.

Starting his second game on the bounce, Mbaoma set off the game on a high as he positioned between his markers to head in Bilal Yakubu’s cross after just seven minutes.

The visitors built on the lead to maintain a high tempo, Samad Kadiri popping a long range effort into the hands of Suraj Ayeleso in a period of dominance.

Pillars came up with a big moment shortly after as they found an easier route with long balls, Nyima Nwagua usually the target.

It was from one of such that they found the net, but the goal did not stand as goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode had been fouled in the process.

Nwagua benefitted from another long ball to smash his header against the upright before Abdullahi Musa fluffed the rebound from point blank range.

Enyimba came close to a second at the restart as Philip Ozor’s cross was almost turned in by an opponent, the ball only bouncing off the upright.

It was only moments later that the hosts struck their equaliser, inspirational captain Rabiu Ali firing into the roof from the spot after Auwalu Ali Mallam was awarded a penalty.

Pillars stepped into the lead in the 75th when Eze picked up Nwagua’s ball to blast past Olufemi Kayode and deny the visitors a share of the points in spite of much industry.