Musa, Ali score again as Heartland hold Pillars in Kano

 Rabiu Ali and Ahmed Musa scored their seventh and fifth goals of the season, respectively, for Kano Pillars, who were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Heartland on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Heartland led twice during the tensed game courtesy of Suraju Lawal, but the two veterans responded for Pillars at intervals, marking their fourth draw this season.

After playing their previous home games in Katsina, the Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 12 game marked the return of Kano Pillars to the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, and the home fans thronged the renovated 16,000-capacity facility to watch their team, who had welcomed back Musa for a third stint.

The electrifying atmosphere, however, became cold six minutes into the second half as Lawal broke the deadlock for the visitors.

Six minutes later, Pillars levelled matters courtesy of Ali’s free kick, his third from such a position this season, but the budding atmosphere was deflated again three minutes later by another goal from Lawal for the visitors.

Ahmed Musa had the last say in the 75th minute to make it 2-2 with his fifth goal in eight games this term.

The result saw Pillars drop a place in the table from fifth to sixth, while defending champions Rangers International climbed up to fourth thanks to their nervy 3-2 win over Bendel Insurance in Enugu.

The Flying Antelopes had raced to a 3-0 lead in 55 minutes through Godwin Obaje, Frank Uwumiro, and Effimi Nsi, but their visitors almost pulled a comeback with Anthony Nnamdi and Uchenna Collins pulling two goals back.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars and Rivers United held on to their first and second positions on the log, respectively, after playing out a goalless draw in Ikenne.

The Sky Blue Stars lead the pack with 23 points, followed by Finidi George’s men with 22 points, while nine-time champions, Enyimba, who played a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors in Umuahia are third with 20 points.