Ahmed Musa scores as Kano Pillars edge Rangers International 3-4

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was on target as Kano Pillars defeated reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International 3-4 in an electrifying encounter on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Kano Pillars dominated the first half, racing to a 4-0 lead. Veteran captain Rabiu Ali bagged a brace from the penalty spot, with both penalties earned by Musa, who dazzled in what was only his third appearance since returning to the club. Ahmed Musa himself found the back of the net.

The away side was clinical throughout the opening 45 minutes, stunning the champions and leaving the home crowd in disbelief.

Rangers International, known for their resilience, staged an impressive comeback in the second half. Isaac Saviour scored twice to ignite hopes of a fightback, while Silas Nenrot added a late goal to further reduce the deficit. However, their efforts were not enough to overturn the massive first-half damage inflicted by Kano Pillars.

Despite Rangers’ spirited rally, it was Musa and his teammates who had the last laugh, holding on for a huge away win against the defending champions.

The 4-3 victory is a major boost for Kano Pillars, who are aiming to reclaim their status as title contenders this season. Musa’s return has already proved pivotal, with his contributions on the field, including two earned penalties and a goal, reinforcing the club’s ambitions.

For Rangers, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges of defending the NPFL title, with defensive lapses in the first half proving costly.

Kano Pillars will look to build on this remarkable result as they push for consistency in the campaign, while Rangers must quickly regroup to avoid further setbacks in their title defense.