There were loads of drama and suspense on Saturday as Katsina United and Kano Pillars began the 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Katsina forced ex-champions, Pillars, to a stalemate but that wasn’t the shocker.
Fours goals were scored between both sides, with two penalties and a red card shown in the encounter.
Pillars stunned the home fans at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium by opening the scoring after 33 minutes through Junior Lokosa.
The hosts pegged back two minutes before the end of the first half, thanks to a fine finish from Ajanachinedu Chukwujekwu.
With only minute past the hour mark, Katsina took a deserved lead off the boot of Alhassan Ibrahim.
Just when Abdullahi Biffo’s team thought they had the game under control, Pillars were awarded a dubious spot-kick at 80 minutes.
But surprisingly, Muhammed Hussaini spurned the opportunity to draw his team level.
Fourteen minutes later, the visitors were once again given another penalty and this time, Destiny Ashadi didn’t make any mistake.
