Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa made a triumphant return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) by scoring twice, although he missed a penalty, as Kano Pillars secured a 2-0 victory over Sunshine Stars at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Sunday.
Kano Pillars, winless in their last three matches, were under pressure, but head coach, Usman Abdallah placed his trust in Musa, starting him in the week five fixture. Musa, making his third debut for the club, quickly repaid that faith by scoring just four minutes into the match with a clinical finish. He latched onto a pass from Mustapha Umar, who made an impressive solo run down the right and fired home from the edge of the box to give Pillars an early lead.
Early in the second half, Musa doubled the lead for Pillars, scoring his second goal in the 51st minute. However, he missed the chance to complete a hat-trick when his 70th-minute penalty struck the post. Despite the missed opportunity, Musa’s brace was enough to secure Kano Pillars’ second win of the season. Their previous win came on the opening day, a 3-0 victory against Ikorodu City.
Musa and fellow Nigeria international, Shehu Abdullahi rejoined Kano Pillars on short-term contracts for the 2024/25 season. While Musa starred in the match, Abdullahi, who has won three NPFL titles with Pillars between 2012 and 2014, started on the bench and will wait for his second debut with the club.
Musa, now 31, is back for his third stint with Pillars, having previously played for them in the 2009/10 season and again in 2021. His most recent club was Turkish side Sivasspor, where he mutually parted ways with the club in February. Musa first made his mark at Pillars in 2009, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals before moving to the Dutch Eredivisie to join VVV Venlo.
With two wins, one draw, and two losses, Kano Pillars now sit seventh in the NPFL standings with seven points. Sunshine Stars, who also have seven points, trail Pillars on goal difference after suffering their second defeat of the season.
