Defending champions, Kano Pillars Football Club, on Wednesday beat visiting Enyimba International FC of Aba 1-0 in a Week 31 match of the 2012/2013 Nigerian Professional Football League.
In the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, first half play was entertaining and lively, with both sides wasting many goalscoring chances.
Gambo Mohammed however scored the only goal of the game in the 85th minute, leading to a momentary invasion of the pitch as the home fans celebrated the goal.
The tension-soaked match had to be abandoned for some minutes as a result of the invasion.
Efforts to get the reaction of both teams’ coaches and other officials failed to yield any result as they all refused to attend the post-match press conference.
Kano Pillars now have 54 points from 31 matches.
In other Week 31 matches played on Wednesday, hosts, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt, beat Warri Wolves 2-1, while ABS FC of Ilorin beat visiting Sunshine Stars FC of Akure 2-1.
Bayelsa United FC of Yenagoa also beat visiting Rangers International FC of Enugu 1-0, while hosts Gombe United FC whipped Kaduna United FC 3-0.
Hosts, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, thrashed Nembe City FC of Bayelsa 3-0, while Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi won 1-0 against visiting Nasarawa United FC of Lafia.
Hosts, Akwa United FC of Uyo, drew goalless with Heartland FC of Owerri, while 3SC of Ibadan could only manage a 1-1 draw with visiting Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Coach Justine Tenger of Akwa United Football Club has blamed the poor state of Uyo Township Stadium’s pitch for his team’s poor performance against Heartland FC of Owerri on Wednesday.
Tenger told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Uyo that the situation was very frustrating for him and his players.
NAN reports that the Uyo-based Akwa United FC drew goalless with Heartland FC in one of the midweek matches of the season 2012/2013 Nigerian Professional Football League.
The week 31 match was played at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Tenger said: “It is very frustrating and it is not a good one.
“My boys are very good.
“But the condition of the pitch did not help matters in this match, in addition to the wet environment.”
Tenger refused to accept suggestions that his selection of players for the match could have been faulty and could have led to the 0-0 result.
He said: “I will not say that I made any mistake in the selection of the team, which played this match, because it is the same team that has been winning our matches.
“It is the same team, which played Sharks FC of Port Harcourt to a standstill last weekend.”
On whether he and his team were still hopeful of winning a ticket to play on the continent next year, the coach said it was not part of the club’s objectives at the moment.
He said: “We are only working on our boys maintaining a good position on the league table.
“But I can assure that we will not be in the relegation zone.”
Speaking also on the game, Heartland FC’s Assistant Coach, Ramson Madu, called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to work on the stadium’s pitch.
Madu said: “It is not safe for players.
“The condition of the pitch is terrible and I think something has to be done on it if it should continue to be used as a match venue.
“In fact I am happy that my boys were able to defend very well so as not to concede a goal, in the face of such a bad football pitch.
“It is regrettable and not good for our football that almost all my players sustained bruises in just a match played in one pitch.”
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