Kano Pillars technical adviser Mohammed Babaganaru has praised his players for their fighting spirit after the club secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rivers United at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.
Babaganaru did not try to downplay how difficult the match was. "We have to be happy for the victory, but to be sincere, the game was tough," he said in comments to the club's media.
The veteran coach acknowledged the quality of the opposition, noting that Rivers United pushed hard for a share of the points throughout the game. "Rivers United are a very ambitious team and they did everything to force a point in the game, but we must commend my players for their determination to get the victory," he added.
It was a dramatic finish at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Abdullahi Musa gave Pillars the lead in the 81st minute, but Rivers United equalised through Handsome Surveyor in the 90th minute. Just when it looked like the points would be shared, Ahmed Musa grabbed the winner deep into stoppage time to seal it 2-1.
Babaganaru's message to his squad going forward was clear. "The players should continue to believe in themselves and do so with a positive character," he said.
The three points have moved Kano Pillars up to 12th place in the NPFL standings, with the club now sitting on 45 points. Attention now turns to Matchday 36 on 3 May, when Pillars travel to face Kun Khalifat FC away from home.