Kano Pillars’ Ali, Ekpai Suspended for Enyimba Clash

Champions Kano Pillars will be without skipper Rabiu Ali and Moses Ekpai for today’s epic Glo Premier League midweek clash at Enyimba as they are suspended following an accumulation of bookings.

Elsewhere today, Warri Wolves, third with 40 points from 23 matches will continue their quest towards wrestling the number one spot away from the front runners Sunshine Stars and Enyimba with

Team

P WD

Sunshine Stars 23 Enyimba 23 Warri Wolves 23 Wikki Tourists 23 Kano Pillars 23 Abia Warriors 23 Giwa FC 22 Heartland 23 Nasarawa Utd 23 IfeanyiUbah 23 3SC 23 Rangers 23 El-Kanemi 23 Akwa United 23 Lobi Stars 23 Kwara Utd 24 Sharks 23 Dolphins 23 Bayelsa Utd 23 FC Taraba 23 13 4 11 9 12 4 10 8 11 4 11 4 9 8 10 3 9 6 9 5 9 5 9 5 9 3 8 5 6 9 7 5 4 10 4 9 4 9 4 7 a trip to Katsina in midweek date with El-Kanemi Warriors.

But the absence of the duo from the Mai Masugida’s line up is likely to affect the desire of the Kano team to stay in contention for the title.

“Both Rabiu and Ekpai are not available for the match as they each got their second bookings in our last game against Shooting Stars. They are suspended for a match each,” disclosed Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa.

Nigeria ‘ B’ international midfielder, Rabiu, has been Pillars most consistent performer this season, while Ekpai was man of the match against 3SC at the weekend and was the match winner in

L GF GA GD Pts

6 3 7 5 8 8 5 10 8 9 9 9 11 10 8 12 9 10 10 12 36 32 35 26 32 28 26 32 25 25 24 26 22 19 24 21 19 21 15 20 19 21 21 21 25 25 26 27 25 23 22 26 33 23 28 30 28 27 27 31 17 11 14 5 7 3 0 5 0 2 2 0 -11 -4 -4 -9 -9 -6 -12 -11 43 42 40 38 37 37 35 33 33 32 32 32 30 29 27 26 22 21 21 19 the first round of the league when both teams clashed in Kano.

However, there could be debuts for Flying Eagles defender Zaharadeen Bello and Emmanuel Olowo.

Bello, who has usually played in central defence, may be drafted to right fullback for Bala Zakka, who posted a great debut against Shooting Stars, but will miss Wednesday’s encounter because a clause in his transfer stipulated he should not play against his former club Enyimba.

Also in Jalingo today, FC Taraba Head Coach, Nduka Ndubuisi, will be hoping that his side will not repeat the careless mistake that robbed them of victory at Lobi Stars against Bayelsa United.

The bottom placed side will confront strugglers, the Restoration Boys in Match Day 24 clash at the Jolly Nyame Stadium.

FC Taraba are at the base of the 20-team top flight on poorly 19 points two points behind opponents, Bayelsa United on 21 points from possible 69 in the 23-week