Substitute Sikiru Alimi put Pillars ahead with a long range strike, but Kun Khalifat levelled in the 90th minute as the Sai Masu Gida kept their unbeaten run going.
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Kano Pillars were held to a 1-1 draw by Kun Khalifat in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 12 game at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Friday, November 6. A late goal from Ebuka Okoro denied the visitors all three points.
Pillars took the lead in the 76th minute through substitute Sikiru Alimi, who hit a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. Kun Khalifat refused to give up, and Okoro found the equaliser in the 90th minute to send the home fans into celebration.
Despite dropping points, Pillars extended their unbeaten run to four matches. They beat Katsina United 1-0 on October 18, drew 0-0 at Warri Wolves on October 25 and beat Nasarawa United 2-0 on November 1 before this draw.
The result moves the Sai Masu Gida up to second place in the table with 19 points from 12 matches, while Kun Khalifat climbed to 15th. Fans who follow the title race can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG kick-off offer before the next round of games.
Late Heartbreak For The Visitors
Alimi is a striker with plenty of NPFL experience. He previously played for Remo Stars and Lobi Stars, and he finished as the league’s top scorer in 2023/24 with 14 goals while at Remo.
His goal looked like the winner, so a last-minute equaliser is a painful way to lose two points for the visitors.
For Kun Khalifat, the point has a positive side. They lost 1-0 at Enyimba on November 1, and they had drawn 0-0 with Inter Lagos on October 25, so the late goal gives them something to build on. Fans who like to forecast results can try Super9ja’s matchday picks alongside the NPFL.
History Between The Clubs
The two clubs have met before in the NPFL. Pillars won 2-1 in Kano on December 7, 2025, with Rabiu Ali scoring twice, and Kun Khalifat won 2-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on May 3, 2026. Friday’s draw means neither side has a clear edge.
The match had earlier been given a new kick-off time of 4pm, instead of 6pm, by the NPFL. The rest of the weekend continues on Sunday, November 8, with seven games at 4pm, including Rangers against Kwara United and Enyimba against Ranchers Bees.
Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos play on Monday, November 9, and Rivers United and Sporting Lagos close the round on Tuesday, November 10, according to the latest fixture listing. Readers who want to follow the table can look at the Bet9ja promotion for Pillars supporters.
Pillars will be happy to stay unbeaten, but they will also know that this was a chance to take three points. Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, showed the fighting spirit that a team in their position needs.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kano Pillars have won the NPFL four times.
- Kun Khalifat beat Kano Pillars 2-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on May 3, 2026, after Pillars won 2-1 in Kano on December 7, 2025.
- Rabiu Ali scored twice for Pillars in the December 2025 meeting between the clubs.
- Sikiru Alimi was the NPFL’s top scorer in 2023/24 with 14 goals for Remo Stars.
- Pillars’ unbeaten run of four games includes two wins and two draws.
