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Kano Pillars head coach Babaganaru Mohammed has praised the resilience and unwavering faith of his players following their dramatic 2-1 win over league leaders Rivers United in a matchday 35 clash of the Nigerian Premier Football League.
The match at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano lived up to expectations, with former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa proving decisive, registering an assist before scoring the late winning goal to seal all three points for the hosts.
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Speaking after the match, Babaganaru admitted that the clash was not easy at all, given the quality and ambition of the visitors.
“Alhamdulillah for the maximum three points. But to be honest, it was a very difficult match.
“They are leaders of the league, very ambitious and they came out strong because they want to win the league,” he said.
The coach especially praised the mentality of his players, highlighting their refusal to give up even after conceding a last-minute equalizer.
“I want to impress my players by showing very good character, a never-give-up attitude. After we scored, they tied it, but we kept pushing. The guys still believed and that made the difference.”
Babaganaru also highlighted the unpredictable nature of football and pointed out how perseverance can change games at crucial moments.
“Sometimes you don’t play well for 85 minutes, but in the last five minutes you get a positive result. That’s what happened today.”
Furthermore, he revealed that he resisted fans’ calls to replace Ahmed Musa, a decision that ultimately proved decisive.
“Some people were calling for Musa to be removed, but I trusted my judgment. At the end of the day, he provided the assist and scored the winning goal. You don’t always follow the crowd, you believe in what you’re doing.”
Looking ahead, Babaganaru stressed the importance of maintaining focus as the season nears its end, while asking for patience and continued support from fans.
“Every game is important and we approach it with a positive mentality. The message to our fans is to continue believing in us and be patient. Support us until the final whistle.”
The result boosts Kano Pillars’ survival hopes while Rivers United remains firmly in the title race despite the setback.
