The four time champions want to turn draws into wins, while the Bees hope to build on a first win in six games.
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Kano Pillars host Ranchers Bees in a Northern derby at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Saturday in Matchday 13 of the Euromatch NPFL, as FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. Kick-off is at 4:00pm WAT.
Four time champions Kano Pillars are fifth with 19 points, level with Barau FC but behind on goal difference. They have four wins, seven draws and one defeat, so turning stalemates into victories is their main issue.
The Sai Masu Gida are unbeaten in their last four games. They beat Katsina United 1-0, drew 0-0 with Warri Wolves, beat Nasarawa United 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Kun Khalifat last Friday. Readers following the table can see the Bet9ja offer summary.
Ranchers Bees are 16th with 12 points. They ended a six match winless run with a 1-0 win over Enyimba last Sunday, in the game where Tijani Kabiru reached 100 NPFL appearances.
There is a quirk to this derby. Ranchers Bees adopted the Sani Abacha Stadium as their home ground this season, although Saturday’s game is a Kano Pillars home fixture. Their last home game, against Enyimba, was played in Minna.
The sides have no previous meetings on record in the NPFL, because Ranchers returned to the top flight this season. Their best result so far was a 4-0 win over Abia Warriors in September, with former Kano Pillars striker Muhammad Zilkifilu scoring a hat-trick. New Bet9ja users can look up Bet9ja’s YOHAIG starter code.
Pillars will look to use quick wing play and midfield control to pin the Bees back. Ranchers will rely on a compact defence and fast counter attacks, and set pieces and second balls could decide a tight game.
Ranchers Bees then host Doma United on Wednesday, November 18, in their rescheduled Matchday 10 game. A result in Kano would give them real confidence for that tie.
Pillars bring the draws, and the Bees bring the confidence, so what separates them? Fans can make a Super9ja pick for the Northern derby before kick-off.
The derby is one of two Northern fixtures at 4:00pm on Saturday, alongside Doma United against Barau FC.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kano Pillars have won the NPFL four times.
- Pillars lost 4-0 at Plateau United on October 11, their heaviest defeat of the season so far.
- Ranchers Bees’ 4-0 win over Abia Warriors was their first NPFL victory since March 2010, ending a 14-match winless run.
- Pillars beat Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on September 6 and drew 2-2 at Kwara United on August 30.
- Pillars drew 0-0 at Shooting Stars on October 7.
