The matchday seven of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) 2024/2025 season delivered some thrilling actions and exciting moments with Kano Pillars stealing the spotlight after a dramatic 4-3 win against the defending champions Rangers international in Enugu at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.
It was goals galore across different centers in the country with 31 goals recorded producing just an away win and three draws.
These are the 5 key moments.
Musa mastersclass as Pillars shock Rangers
It was Ahmed Musa’s show in Enugu on Wednesday as the Usman Abdalah tutored Kano Pillars produced a remarkable first half masterclass performance to stun the flying antelopes in another NPFL seven- goal thriller that left the lively cathedral fans astounded.
Bouncing back from a challenging loss to Akwa United over the weekend, kano Pillars stormed into the game with fiery performance, scoring in the opening 15 minutes to establish control over the match. The visitors displayed a stunning and dominant performance the entire first half; finding the back of the net four times before the break.
The experienced super Eagles captain and Sai Masu Gida returnee, Musa turned the cathedral into his playing ground after directly involving in all the four goals; winning two penalties which were converted by Rabiu Ali, and setting up Zulkilfilu Muhammed before rounding off Rangers goalkeeper, Japhet Opubo to score a trademark solo goal and make it 4-nil a few minutes before halftime.
However, Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers who only joined the game in second half pumped some life into the flying antelopes with tactical changes to launch a comeback campaign fueled by Saviour Isaac’s brace and Nenrot Silas 90th minute goal to reduce the deficit but the homers’ effort wasn’t enough to salvage a point as the defending champions conceded their first home loss in two seasons.
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Anas Yusuf brilliant hat-trick sinks Abia Warriors in Lafia
It took the in-form striker Anas Yusuf just 14 minutes in the second half to make the headlines against the hapless Abia Warriors at the Lafia Township Stadium as he bagged his second hat-trick of the season taking his tally to 8 goals in 7 games and lead the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League top scorer chart.
Anas Yusuf’s attacking brilliance was all the newly promoted Lafia-based Nassawa United needed to return to winning ways and record their first home win of the season in a comfortable manner in front of a raucous home crowd including the executive Governor of the State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who had made a morale boosting presence at the stadium to cheer the Solid Miners to victory.
The attacking sensation, Yusuf whose impressive performance earned him the Man-of-the-Match award after guiding the solid miners to a comfortable 3-0 win over Abia Warriors promised to continue to work hard for the success of the team.
Remo stars fall short in Jos
Plateau United defender Anioke Anthony was the hero in Jos township stadium on Thursday evening after scoring two goals and providing one assist to hand Daniel Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars their second defeat of the season.
Remo Stars who defeated the Solid Miners of Nasarawa on Sunday in Ikenne could not contain the attacking threat and pressure of the Peace Boys who emphatically returned to winning ways after their away unbeaten run was halted by Bayelsa United in the rain drenched encounter at Yenagoa over the weekend.
Remo stars will be looking to bounce back from the defeat and continue their title’ charge on Sunday when they take on Bendel Insurance who trashed Bayelsa United 3-0 in Benin.
Rivers United extends unbeaten run
Rivers United continued their impressive performance under coach Finidi George as they extended their unbeaten run this season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the struggling Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Thursday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The beautifully crafted second-half goals from Okon Aniekeme and Ndifreke Effiong were enough for the Pride of Rivers to get the maximum points needed to be back at the top of the NPFL table with 17 points.
Meanwhile the Oluyole Warriors winless run continues with 3 losses already this season, picking just a point in the last four games and sitting closer to the relegation zone.
Ikorodu City picks a precious point on the road
10-man oga boys scored their first away goal of the season to pick a valuable point against Heartland in Owerri the capital city of Imo.
Salau Yusuf’s 5th minute wonder goal was all the Pride of Lagos needed to make it two games without a defeat after recording their first ever NPFL win over the weekend by defeating Bendel Insurance 3-0.
However, the debutants are still rocking the bottom of the table with 5 points after match day seven.
NPFL25 | MatchDay 7 | Results & Standings📊
Enugu Rangers 3-4 Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars 2-2 El Kanemi Warriors
Enyimba Int’l 1-1 Niger Tornadoes
Heartland FC 1-1 Ikorodu City
Kwara United 3-0 Sunshine Stars
Bendel Insurance 3-0 Bayelsa United
Nasarawa United 3-0 Abia Warriors
Plateau United 3-1 Remo Stars SC
Rivers United 2-0 Shooting Stars SC
Katsina United 1-0 Akwa United
