Kano Pillars Retain Glo League Title!

Kano Pillars went into the Nigerian Glo Premier League record as the first team from the northern part of the country to win the title back-to-back despite losing 2-0 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi Sunrday.

The race to the title remained undecided until the final day of the season as Bayelsa United with 61 points also had the chance of claiming the top spot. However, like Pillars, they also lost 1-0 away to Gombe United.

The Kano team finished top of the log on 63 points, while Enyimba shot to second place after they defeated Sharks 1-0 at home to record 62 points.

This is Pillars third league championship and they along with Enyimba will represent Nigeria in next year's CAF Champions League. They earned the League Management Company's N10million prize money as champions.

Mighty Jets in 1972, BCC Lions in 1994 and Lobi Stars in 1999 are the other teams from the Northern part of the country to have won the league in the past.

Speaking with THISDAY shortly after the victory, Chairman of Pillars' management board, Alhaji Abba Yola Abdullahi insisted that winning the Glo Premier League back to back was a deserved one for the Kano team.

'We want to thank all our supporters and other Nigerians who motivated us all through the season. It was a tough season that could have gone to any of the top runners,' observed the club boss who is looking forward to reinforcing the team ahead of their continental campaign next season.

In the final game with Lobi, Barnabas Imenger junior scored the first goal of the match in the 28th minute from the penalty spot after Umar Zango brought down Douglas Archi inside the 18-yard box. Imenger then scored his brace against the champions.

Bayelsa lost 1-0 at Gombe United to finish third on 61 points, while El Kanemi finished on 60 points after they fell 1-0 at Enugu Rangers.

Substitute Menshak Chukwubuikem scored the goal for Rangers to beat El Kanemi, while Simon Timothy ended the dream of Bayelsa in Gombe with his strike.

At the other end of the table, Wikki, Kwara United and ABS FC join Shooting Stars to the lower league.

Akwa United and Kwara United played out a 1-draw in Lokoja, while ABS lost 1-0 at Warri Wolves.

Shooting Stars confirmed their relegation after they lost 2-0 at Kaduna United.

It was double tragedy for Kwara State football fans as both teams from the state, Kwara United and ABS FC, will campaign in the lower division next season following their relegation.

Kwara United had a better chance to stay put when they hosted Akwa United at Lokoja, but they could not get the needed three points as Akwa United, who needed just a point to remain in the top league, did just that as their game ended 1-1.

3SC finished bottom with 46 points from 38 games, followed by Wikki Tourists on 49 points, while ABS FC had 50 points, same with Kwara United.

RESULTS
Lobi Stars
2 - 0
Kano Pillars
Dolphin FC
1 - 0
Wikki Tourists
Gombe Utd
1 - 0
Bayelsa Utd
Kwara Utd
1 - 1
Akwa Utd
Kaduna Utd
2 - 0
3SC
Warri Wolves
1 - 0
ABS
Nembe City
2 - 0
Sunshine Stars
Enyimba
1 - 0
Sharks
Nasarawa Utd
1 - 0
Heartland FC
Enugu Rangers
1 - 0
El Kanemi