Zulkifilu Rabiu Joins Libyan Giants Al Tersana on Move from Kano Pillars

Versatile Nigerian midfielder Zulkifilu Rabiu (Muhammad) has completed a transfer to Libyan Premier League side Al Tersana SC from Kano Pillars FC.

Rabiu, who featured previously for clubs including Rangers International FC, Yobe Desert Stars FC, Wikki Tourists FC, Lobi Stars FC and Plateau United FC, carved out a reputation in the Nigerian league as one of the top assist-makers and key creators.

He also has youth international experience, having featured for Nigeria U20 in 2019 scoring a dramatic equaliser against Ghana in that tournament. Kano Pillars have wished him well as he embarks on this “exciting new chapter abroad”.

Editorial

Zulkifilu Rabiu’s decision to move to Al Tersana is both bold and significant. It speaks of an ambition that reaches beyond the familiar contours of the Nigeria Professional Football League, and into leagues where exposure, challenge and potential rewards can escalate.

We often think of player-progression as a linear path Nigeria  Europe’s top leagues. But the football world is more diverse now. Moves like Rabiu’s show that stepping into North Africa, into the Libyan Premier League, is not a step-back but a strategic shift. One that combines playing time, responsibilities, and new cultures. For a creative midfielder accustomed to making chances, this environment might just suit him.

His track record in Nigeria of assists, key chance creation, even clutch goals means he brings more than promise: he brings experience. At Al Tersana, he will be expected not only to create but to perform consistently, to handle pressure in a different context, and to adapt quickly. The success of such moves often depends less on talent and more on mindset, adaptation and resilience.

For Nigerian football, this move carries symbolic weight. It reminds us that talent export isn’t only about the big five European leagues. It is about appropriate opportunities. If Rabiu thrives in Libya, the ripple effect could be important—not simply for his own career but for how scouts and clubs view Nigerian midfielders outside the usual pathways.

Still, the journey will have its tests: language barriers, culture shifts, different tactical expectations, possibly fewer comforts. But within each such challenge lies the potential for growth. Rabiu has entered a new chapter and not one written in bold headlines so far, but quietly, with ambition. If he scores, creates, influences, then this move might turn into one of the most astute for a Nigerian creative midfielder in recent times.

Did You Know?

1. Rabiu scored a key equaliser for Nigeria U20 against Ghana in the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, showcasing his ability in high-pressure moments.
2. Before the move, he was regarded among the top assist providers in the NPFL during his time at Kano Pillars, emphasising his play-making credentials.
3. His new club, Al Tersana SC, is considered one of Libya’s top clubs, presenting him with a platform for continental competition and broader exposure.
4. Rabiu’s versatility has seen him deployed in midfield, as a creator and occasionally in more advanced roles — making the move a chance to further refine his positional skills.
5. His transfer abroad underlines a growing trend of Nigerian players exploring less-talked-about leagues for professional growth, rather than only targeting the major European leagues.