It was another Frustrating day for Bayelsa United as they were held at home to a 1-1 draw against Kano Pillars at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa in Matchday two of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, 15th September 2024.
The Prosperity Boys came into the game after a 3-0 defeat at away at Sunshine Stars as they look to bounce back but it was the visitor’s Kano Pillars who dominated early possession and created chances as they took the game to Bayelsa United.
Kano Pillars quick start eventually paid of in the 40th minutes after Auwal Malam picked up a cross outside the 18-yard box and hit a shot which beat Clinton Andy in goal for Bayelsa United as the visitors went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
At the resumption of the second half, Technical Adviser Ladan Bosso made some changes in other to get the equalizer.
The changes turned out to be the turning point for the host as notably Solomon Akpabowei, who was discovered from the Bayelsa Governor’s Cup (Prosperity Cup) while playing for amateur Side, Eternal Grace Ministries playing in his first professional match caused alot of trouble to the Kano Pillars defense with his energy and drive as the home side pushed for the equalizer.
Bayelsa United got their reward in the 56 minutes when Rabiu Abdullah strike from outside the box beat the Kano Pillars Goalkeeper Idreesu in his near post to level the score at 1-1 and gave the home side a renewed vigour as they went for the winner.
With the equalizer Bayelsa United went in search of the winer as Kano Pillars were looking tired and out of sort in the remaining minutes of the game, despite pushing hard for the winner, The Prosperity Boys were unable to break down Kano Pillars resilient defense, leaving Ladan Bosso visibly frustrated on the sidelines as he set out to get all three points.
Technical Adviser Ladan Bosso who spoke after the game said it was an expected end as they are trying to test one or two players nothing that the team will learn from what they have observed from this game and take it to the next league match.
Bosso also had praises for debuting attacker, Solomon Akpabowei who was playing professional football for the first time stating that he made the difference after coming on from the bench, he added that with a good nurturing he has a bright future.
Meanwhile the coach of Kano Pillars Usman Abdallah who spoke after the match said his side played well but were tired after the long journey from kano and that he was happy with the one point as the game could have been won by both teams.
The draw leaves Bayelsa United in 17th place in the league table, with 1 points from two matches while Kano Pillars are second on the league table with 4 points from two matches.
Enugu Rangers is next for Bayelsa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as Bayelsa United will be looking to bounce back from this disappointing result.
Kano Pillars will trade tackle with current league leaders Remo Stars at home.
CREDIT: Francis Joseph