Kano Pillars Reign Supreme, Win Gusau Ahlan Cup 2025
By Adams Jesse Odoba-Yacham, Lafia
It was blitz amid action as Kano Pillars beat Plateau United to the 2025 edition of the Gusau/Ahlan Cup25 at the magnificent Lafia City Stadium.
The game which drew crowds from across the globe saw Pillars dominate early proceedings, but were unable to break a resilient Plateau United defence marshalled by former Akwa United ace, Wisdom Ndon who formed an unbreakable partnership with Joshua Dabo.
Ahmed Musa caused some problems for the peace boys early in the game before he was withdrawn after injuring his thigh.
The game which was witnessed by the number one citizen of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule and the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, left the packed Lafia City Stadium with something to remember. Proceedings after the withdrawal of Ahmed Musa saw Samuel Kalu pushing the Plateau United attack, but a scrambling block was met by Abdullahi Musa who stood tall to deny Plateau United scoring. The game ended goalless in regulation time.
The game was however decided by the lottery of penalty shootouts. The heroics of Abuchi Destiny decided the match from twelve yards, as he saved a Plateau United spot kick to hand Kano Pillars who converted all their penalties the day, emerging Champions of the Gusau Ahlan Cup 2025.
Speaking after the game, Salisu Usman Galadima, Nasarawa state FA chairman thanked the executive governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule for accepting to host the tournament, and Ibrahim Gusau (NFF President) for accepting to host the event in Nasarawa State.
“Nasarawa State has shown that it is indeed the hub of sports in the country”.
“We have successfully hosted one of the best Preseason tournaments in Nigeria and we will continue to build on the success of today’s tournament, he concluded”.
Abahuraira Dahiru (Coordinator) said he was elated to have completed the tournament without a hitch.
“Nasarawa State has hosted the best Gusau Ahlan Cup since I became the coordinator and it will be a thing of joy to see the state host the event again”.
“We have seen more than 10 days of pure footballing bliss and the reception from the good people of the state will only encourage us to want to come back to Lafia again, if not for footballing reasons, then for the beautiful people of the state, he revealed”.
Umar Aliyu won the golden boot while the best goal went to Abuchi Destiny (though not presented) while the best attacking team went to Nasarawa United for scoring 10 goals in the tournament.
Dignitaries at the grand finale included the governor of Nasarawa state Engr Abdullahi Sule, Alhaji Sheru Ahlan Inuwa (Board Member NFF, Head NFF Technical Committee), Babagana Kalli (Board Member NFF/ Chairman Match Commissioner Committee), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye (NFF Second Vice President/ Chairman NPFL), Davidson Owumi (C.O.O NPFL), Jon. Silas Agara (Board Member/ Chairman NLO), Hon. Kwanta Yakubu Boha (Commissioner For Sports, Nasarawa State), Barr. Isaac Danladi (Commissioner For Justice, Nasarawa State), RH. Dr Aliyu Bello PhD (APC Nasarawa State), State FA Chairman amongst several others.