Kano Pillars climbed to sixth place on the Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League table after beating Katsina United 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday in their Matchday 9 fixture.
Ibrahim Yahaya settled the contest inside the first ten minutes, striking in the seventh minute after Rabiu Ali picked him out with a precise pass. Yahaya controlled the ball and drove a fierce left-footed shot past the Katsina United goalkeeper, giving Pillars a lead they would not relinquish.
The win was Pillars' third of the season, following earlier victories over Niger Tornadoes and Doma United, and continues a run in which the Kano side have lost just once in nine matches this campaign.
Yahaya stepped into the starting line-up in place of skipper Ahmed Musa, who was unavailable due to illness, and made the most of his opportunity. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and he later spoke about what the goal meant to him. "The goal is a big confidence boost for me," Yahaya said, adding that it would push him to work harder in matches to come. He also had warm words for the Pillars faithful who turned out at the Sani Abacha Stadium, saying he wanted to dedicate the winner to them for their constant backing throughout the game.
Katsina United's Chief Coach Abu Azeez conceded that his side's slow start cost them, even though he felt his players controlled large parts of the second half. Looking ahead, Azeez said his team would be targeting maximum points from their upcoming home games against Plateau United and Sporting Lagos as they look to climb the standings.
For Kano Pillars, Technical Adviser Daniel Ogbunmudede was pleased simply to have collected all three points, a result that moved the club up to sixth position in the league. Pillars now turn their attention to Matchday 10, when they travel to face Warri Wolves FC on 25 October 2026. Ogbunmudede said the plan was to return from Warri with another win, and he called on supporters to keep standing by the team as the season progresses.