Pillars to battle Rangers in 2018 Aiteo Cup final

Nigeria Professional Football League giants, Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers will battle in the final of this year’s Aiteo Federation Cup after winning their semi-final matches.

In the semi-final match decided yesterday at the Sani Abacha stadium Kano, Rangers defeated Nasarawa United 4-2, while Pillars edged out hard fighting Katsina United 4-2 on penalties after playing out a 2-2 draw at the Agege township stadium Lagos.

The final in the men’s category of the Aiteo Cup comes up on October 24 at the Late Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.

In Lagos, the first half ending 1-0 in favour of Pillars when top scorer Junior Lokosa forced an own goal before Nzube Anaezemba doubled the lead for the Kano side.

However, Timothy Danladi converted a rebounded penalty in the 69th minute to pull one back for Katsina, while Chinedu Ajanah equalised in the 79th with a textbook header off a corner kick to send the game into penalty.

Speaking to Daily Trust in a telephone interview, the Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars Ibrahim Musa attributed his team’s victory to the government and people of Kano State.

He said government’s support by airlifting the team to Lagos after their semifinal victory against Enyimba in Gombe on Sunday yesterday’s win possible.

The coach said Pillars arrived Lagos in time to settle down before taking on their opponents in what he described as a very difficult semi-final.

“I am happy that we have justified the support from our government. In spite of its limited resources, our governor ensured that we travelled by air to Lagos.

“The arrangement really helped in reducing our stress. We arrived in time and rested made very well.

“Our opponents gave us a good fight. It was not an easy match,” he said.

Musa however said there won’t be over celebration in the camp of Pillars as he maintained that attention will shift immediately to Rangers.

Already Rangers defender, Isaac Loute is savouring the chance to face his former club in the final.

He said the final between Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers will be a cracker.