Babaganaru Targets Strong Start As Kano Pillars Face Nasarawa United

Ahead of their NPFL Matchday 20 clash with Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars acting technical adviser Muhammad Babaganaru has stressed the need for his side to start the second stanza on a positive note as they look to improve their league fortunes. The northern giants are preparing for a crucial away trip to face one of the title contenders in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), with Babaganaru emphasising focus and intensity in training.

After a challenging first half of the season that saw changes in technical leadership, Pillars are eager to climb the standings and reignite confidence among supporters. Babaganaru wants his squad to match Nasarawa United’s energy and tactical discipline, knowing that a strong result could be a springboard for a better campaign in the second stanza of the NPFL.

Editorial

When a club of Kano Pillars’ stature steps onto the pitch, it carries with it history, expectation and, above all, the heavy burden of revival. As Muhammad Babaganaru prepares his team to meet Nasarawa United, his call for a “strong start” to the NPFL’s second stanza resonates not just as a motivational soundbite, but as an urgent tactical imperative.

For Pillars a club with multiple league titles and an ardent fanbase this fixture embodies more than points on the table. It is a moment of truth, a juncture where preparation must translate into intensity, and commitment into cohesion. Babaganaru’s task is to counterbalance the psychological weight of recent inconsistencies with a clarity of purpose that his players can rally around. Established sides, particularly those with storied pasts like Pillars, are judged not just by their name but by their ability to respond when momentum wavers.

Equally, Nasarawa United enter this contest not as passive opponents but as a side rich in form and ambition. The Solid Miners’ unbeaten run earlier in the season showcased a collective resilience and tactical balance that will test any challenger.  That Pillars must confront such strength reinforces the significance of Babaganaru’s message the league’s narrative is shaped by moments of assertion as much as by results.

In the broader tapestry of the NPFL, where margins are slim and fortunes shift rapidly, this fixture serves as both a challenge and an opportunity. For Babaganaru and his men, the pursuit of a “strong start” is about resetting identity, reaffirming resolve, and crafting a campaign that reflects the full weight of Pillars’ heritage. In a league as unpredictable as Nigeria’s top flight, such moments when preparation meets occasion often define seasons.

Did You Know?

1. Nasarawa’s Momentum Nasarawa United enjoyed a strong run early in the season, going unbeaten in five matches with a mix of tactical discipline and squad unity that kept them near the top of the NPFL standings.
2. Head-to-Head Balance Historically, Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United have been evenly matched in 26 previous meetings across seasons, each has six wins with eight draws.
3. Home Fixture Behind Closed Doors Nasarawa United’s home game against Kano Pillars was confirmed to be played behind closed doors due to ongoing repairs at the Lafia City Stadium.
4. Golden Boot Winner Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf was the NPFL top scorer in the 2024–25 season with 18 goals, earning both the Golden Boot and the Eunisell Boot Award.
5. Recent League Form Kano Pillars enjoyed a good run of form before the second stanza, winning several matches in December, including victories over Plateau United and Kun Khalifat FC.