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NPFL…NPFL…NPFL… ‘Muazam’ Strikes Twice to Keep Wikki on Top
*Kano Pillars insists: Ref manufactured red-cards, goals undeserving
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders Wikki Tourists consolidated their top spot on the table after they came from behind to beat eight-man Kano Pillars 3-1 at home yesterday courtesy of a brace by debut boy ‘Muazam’ Alhassan Ibrahim.
Wikki remains top of the pile on 41 points from 22 matches.
The reverse fixture in the first round ended 2-1in favour of Pillars.
Striker Emanuel Edmund put visiting Kano Pillars ahead in the 35th minute, when he fired home from outside the box.
Pillars were reduced to 10 men when defender Jamiu Alimi was sent off for second booking in the 48th minute.
Wikki remains top of the pile on 41 points from 22 matches.
The reverse fixture in the first round ended 2-1in favour of Pillars.
Striker Emanuel Edmund put visiting Kano Pillars ahead in the 35th minute, when he fired home from outside the box.
Pillars were reduced to 10 men when defender Jamiu Alimi was sent off for second booking in the 48th minute.
Debutant ‘Muazam’ drew Wikki level in the 77th minute with a header, before Abubakar Lawal made it 2-1 for the home team in the 84th minute from a penalty spot.
‘Muazam’ then grabbed his brace in stoppage time.
Another Pillars player was sent off in the 82nd minute, before his teammate Tijjani Adamu was sent off in the 90th minute.
‘Muazam’ then grabbed his brace in stoppage time.
Another Pillars player was sent off in the 82nd minute, before his teammate Tijjani Adamu was sent off in the 90th minute.
However, Pillars Spokesman, Idris Malikawa, told AfricanFootball.com his team deserved to win this match but the referee from Niger State and his assistant combined to ensure they did not.
“They simply manufactured three red cards against us – to start with the foul that was penalised in the 48th minute was not committed by Jamiu Alimi, but Joel Djondang,” said Malikawa.
“Even the penalty against us for their second goal was not a penalty. The referee manufactured it.”
He continued: “We deserved to win this game because up to the 77th minute, there was no pressure on us, we had full control of the game.
“But some other people simply said Wikki must win this game by any means possible.
“We are highly disappointed and demand the LMC investigate what happened in this match.”
“Even the penalty against us for their second goal was not a penalty. The referee manufactured it.”
He continued: “We deserved to win this game because up to the 77th minute, there was no pressure on us, we had full control of the game.
“But some other people simply said Wikki must win this game by any means possible.
“We are highly disappointed and demand the LMC investigate what happened in this match.”
