Ibrahim Yahaya was the hero as Kano Pillars secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ranchers Bees in their Matchday 13 encounter in the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Sports247 reports that the fixture, played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, saw the home side claim all three points courtesy of Yahaya’s second-half strike.
The forward found the back of the net in the 75th minute, scoring the only goal of the contest to give Kano Pillars a hard-fought victory over their Kaduna-based opponents. The goal was his third of the campaign.
Yahaya’s contribution earned him the Man of the Match award, presented by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano State chapter. It was also his second Man of the Match recognition in the 2026/2027 NPFL season.
Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving the award, Yahaya pledged to continue giving his best for the club, expressing his determination to help Kano Pillars achieve their ambition of winning the league title this season.
The forward’s performance provided a significant contribution to Pillars’ Matchday 13 success as the team continued its campaign in the domestic league.
Meanwhile, Kano Pillars assistant coach Sulaiman Kamil Folarin, who led the team during the encounter, said the technical crew had prepared adequately for the match, recognising the importance of the rivalry between both sides.
Folarin noted that the team understood the nature of the contest and had approached it with the necessary preparation.
On the opposing side, Ranchers Bees head coach Majin Mohammed admitted that his team needed to address its shortcomings following the defeat.
Mohammed said his players would return home, review the mistakes made during the encounter and work towards putting things right ahead of their next fixture.
The result handed Kano Pillars a valuable home victory, while Ranchers Bees were left to reflect on a narrow defeat as both teams continue their respective campaigns in the 2026/2027 NPFL season.
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