All eyes will be on Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa and midfield maestro Rabiu Ali as Kano Pillars play at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano for the first time this season when they welcome Heartland in a matchday 12 game on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The four-time Nigerian champions have played their previous home matches this season at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina due to renovation works at the Sani Abacha Stadium, which have now been completed.
“After playing our previous home fixtures in Katsina, this is a monumental moment for our team, fans, and the entire Sai Masu Gida community. We can’t wait to welcome our supporters back to cheer us on at our true home,” the club announced via X ahead of the match.
Ali and Musa are the club’s leading scorers this season, with the former, a midfielder, netting six goals while Musa has scored four.
Both players have been instrumental to their impressive run of form this term, as they were involved in the match winners in their last two games, which powered them up to fifth in the table with 17 points after 11 games.
Ahead of their much-anticipated return to their traditional home ground, Pillars coach, Usman Abdallah, is anticipating an electrifying atmosphere and believes Ali and Musa’s experience as well as Super Eagles midfielder Sheu Abdullahi will be instrumental to their drive this season.
“It’s a long-awaited return that comes with an exciting feeling because our supporters are eager to see the team perform. It’s good to play in front of our loyal supporters, and we aren’t going to take the match for granted, and now that we are gathering momentum, we want to continue that way,” Abdallah told PUNCH Sports Extra.
He continued, “We also have the inclusion of Sheu Abdullahi, who made his comeback into the team slowly and steadily, and we saw how he gave everything in Benin. With their experience, they will be able to guide the young ones, and the team will be better. We are not perfect yet. We are happy about their performances, and there is more to come from them.”