2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner teammates, Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa will face off today at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Thursday as two Football powerhouses in the NPFL, Kano Pillars and Enyimba reignite their rivalry.
The clash between these two teams who share 13 league titles between them, has produced some of the most memorable matches in Nigeria Premier Football League history. Musa, 32, has been in scintillating form since rejoining his boyhood club, Kano Pillars, scoring six goals in 12 appearances this season. His most recent goal came in their 2-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes on December 21, 2024, and he will be hoping to open his 2025 account against the People’s Elephant of Enyimba.
The former Leicester City forward’s return to the NPFL is particularly significant given his status as one of Nigeria’s most decorated players, having earned over 100 caps for the national team and featured in three World Cups.
His impact on the league has been immediate and profound. Home and away matches featuring Pillars have seen unprecedented attendance figures, with fans flocking to stadiums across the country to witness the Super Eagles captain in action.
Meanwhile, Ideye, 36, has hit the ground running at Enyimba since completing his move in December, scoring twice in just five appearances. His latest goal helped secure a crucial 2-1 win over Nasarawa United on January 8, demonstrating he hasn’t lost his scoring touch despite a 17-year absence from the Nigerian top flight. The striker’s return marks the end of a lengthy European sojourn that saw him feature for clubs like West Bromwich Albion, Dynamo Kyiv and Olympiacos.
The two top players back in the NPFL tell different but equally compelling stories. While Musa’s return represents a legendary figure choosing to give back to the league that launched his career, Ideye’s homecoming symbolizes a growing trend of Nigerian internationals seeing value in returning to strengthen the domestic game.
The historical significance of this fixture is underscored by their head-to-head record since 2010, with Pillars slightly edging it with 11 wins to Enyimba’s 10 in 23 meetings. Two matches ended in draws, highlighting how closely matched these sides have been over the years. The rivalry has consistently produced goals, with Pillars scoring 28 times to Enyimba’s 26 across these encounters.
Recent meetings have been particularly dramatic. Their last clash saw Enyimba secure an emphatic 5-0 victory in April 2024, their biggest win in the fixture’s history. However, Pillars had won the reverse fixture 1-0 through Abba Adam’s strike in November 2023, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of this historic rivalry.
Both teams enter Thursday’s clash with continental ambitions, despite sitting outside the top six. Enyimba, under new coach Stanley Eguma, occupies seventh place with 27 points from 17 matches, while Pillars are ninth with 25 points from 18 games. League Leaders, Remo Stars have set the pace with 36 points from 19 matches, leaving both giants with significant ground to make up in their pursuit of continental football.
Pillars’ assistant coach, Gambo Mohammed, expressed confidence ahead of the encounter. “Everyone is ready for the match with Enyimba,” he stated on social media platform X.
For Enyimba, this match represents an opportunity to bounce back from their recent CAF Confederation Cup elimination by Zamalek. Ideye’s arrival has brought renewed optimism to the nine-time champions, who are looking to rebuild under Eguma following the departure of Coach Yemi Olanrewaju.
The former West Brom striker’s experience could prove crucial in helping the People’s Elephant return to continental competition.
The return of these internationals has already begun transforming the NPFL’s landscape. Their presence has not only elevated the technical quality but also attracted increased media attention and fan interest.
“I received a lot of messages from other players playing abroad, those who are looking forward to being part of this,” Ideye revealed after making his debut. “We just have to give everyone their respect and support to improve the league and make it a homecoming. A lot of players in Europe are not doing well, they want to come back home.”
The NPFL has seen similar successful returns, with players like Godfrey Oboabona and Shehu Abdullahi also making their way back to the domestic league. This growing trend mirrors models in South America, where stars often return to contribute to their domestic leagues in the latter stages of their careers.
