Kano Pillars may be without key veterans Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi for their pivotal NPFL Matchday 32 encounter against Heartland FC in Owerri on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Musa, who recently returned to the club following a short spell in Turkey, is currently in Saudi Arabia for religious observance and is yet to return. Club officials hope he will be back between Tuesday and Thursday, though his participation remains uncertain.
Similarly, Shehu Abdullahi is still in Sokoto State, where he travelled to attend the burial of late Nigerian footballer Abubakar Lawal. Following the ceremony, he was invited by Sokoto’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Mustapha Muhammad, to offer insights on a sports initiative.
In addition to these absences, Kano Pillars will also be without defensive midfielder Aminu Mohammed, who is suspended for the match after accumulating five yellow cards.
Kano Pillars are currently eighth on the NPFL table with 45 points, while Heartland sits in 17th place with 35 points, desperate for survival. The match will also mark the return of head coach Usman Abdallah after serving a two-month suspension. During his absence, interim boss Ahmed ‘Yaro Yaro’ Garba recorded four wins, four draws, and three defeats in 11 matches.
Editorial
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The potential absence of Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi for Kano Pillars’ upcoming clash against Heartland underlines the fragile balance between footballing ambition and personal obligations in Nigerian club football.
Musa’s trip to Saudi Arabia and Abdullahi’s commendable involvement in state matters highlight the human side of professional athletes, particularly in a domestic league where duty often transcends the pitch. However, from a tactical standpoint, the timing is less than ideal. Pillars are pushing for a top finish, and missing two of their most experienced players could prove decisive against a Heartland side fighting for survival.
This game also marks a test of leadership not just from the returning coach Usman Abdallah, but also from the younger squad members who must step up in the absence of these veterans. Abdallah’s return is a subplot of its own, and his ability to stabilise the team quickly could define Pillars’ final run-in.
As for Heartland, they will view this as a golden opportunity to exploit a weakened opponent. It’s not just about points now—it’s about grit, urgency, and belief. Both teams have plenty to prove.
Let’s hope this fixture lives up to its billing, with or without its biggest stars.
Did You Know?
- Ahmed Musa rejoined Kano Pillars in 2021 during a break in his European club career and again in 2024 after leaving Turkey.
- Shehu Abdullahi has played in several leagues including Cyprus, Turkey, and Kuwait, and was part of Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
- Kano Pillars are four-time NPFL champions, last lifting the title in 2014.
- The late Abubakar Lawal, whose burial Abdullahi attended, previously played for Nasarawa United before moving abroad.
- Heartland FC, formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, were CAF Champions League finalists in 1988.
