Ali nets sixth NPFL goal as Pillars pip Insurance

Kano Pillars midfield maestro Rabiu Ali scored his sixth goal of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a late penalty, which earned Pillars a 1-0 win over Bendel Insurance at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin-City on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra.

The matchday 11 game was heading for a goalless draw until Insurance player handled the ball inside the box in stoppage time.

The 44-year-old Ali stepped up for the four-time champions, sending the Insurance goalkeeper the wrong way for Pillars’ second away win of the season and fifth after 11 games.

Kano Pillars moved up temporarily to the fourth position on the log with 17 points.

Reflecting on their run this season, Ali noted that the former champions will continue to fight for their place in the league.

“Despite the mixed results in our first set of matches, I can say things are getting better, and we will continue to give our best until the end of the season,” Ali told PUNCH Sports Extra.

Ali has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season. He had scored a free kick in their last home match—a 2-1 win against Plateau United at their adopted home ground in Katsina.

His scoring streak began with a brace against newly promoted Ikorodu City in their first game of the season, adding two more penalties in their dramatic 4-3 win against Rangers International in Enugu before netting in the last two games.

He scored 10 goals and nine assists for the club last season.

In another NPFL match-day 11 game decided on Saturday, Segun Oloruntoba scored a brace as Lobi Stars came from behind to beat Abia Warriors 3-1 in Lafia, their third win, which temporarily moved out of the relegation zone.

After a goalless first half, Sunday Medgwo had put the visitors up in the 56th minute before Lobi, under Finnish coach Mika Lönnström, responded through Oloruntoba before the decisive own goal.

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