Fabian Nworie scored twice as Kano Pillars beat Niger Tornadoes 3-2 in a five-goal NPFL Matchday 2 thriller, handing new coach Daniel Ogunmodede his first win in charge.
Kano Pillars survived a late Niger Tornadoes fightback to win 3-2 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday, September 7, 2026, in an NPFL Matchday 2 five-goal thriller that handed new head coach Daniel Ogunmodede his first win since taking charge.
The Sai Masu Gida had opened the season with a 2-2 draw away to Kwara United, so this result put them on four points from two games and top of the early-season pace-setters alongside the division’s other unbeaten sides.
Kano Pillars raced into a commanding lead. Ubong Friday broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, and Fabian Nworie doubled the advantage with a powerful header in first-half stoppage time to send Pillars in 2-0 up at the break. Nworie completed his brace nine minutes after the restart, in the 54th minute, putting the hosts 3-0 ahead and seemingly out of sight.
Niger Tornadoes refused to fold. Godfrey Joseph pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute, and Wasiu Jimoh made it 3-2 with a strike in the 90th minute, setting up a nervy finish. Pillars’ defence held firm through the closing stages to see out the win and claim maximum points.
For Kano Pillars, this is exactly the kind of response the club wanted after starting the campaign in the Daniel Ogunmodede era. Kano Pillars have now taken four points from their opening two matches, following a come-from-behind draw at Kwara United and now a home win over Niger Tornadoes.
For Niger Tornadoes, this is a second-half collapse that undoes an otherwise spirited second-half fightback — after being blown away in the first hour, the Kano Dogo Onda came within a goal of a remarkable share of the points. The result leaves the club needing to tighten up defensively in matches where they fall behind early.
For more background on both clubs heading into the new season, see our Kano Pillars club profile and Niger Tornadoes club profile in the NPFL Team Hub. For pre-season transfer context, see our Kano Pillars 2026/27 transfer window breakdown and Niger Tornadoes 2026/27 transfer window breakdown.
What was the final score between Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes?
Kano Pillars won 3-2 against Niger Tornadoes in their NPFL Matchday 2 fixture, played on Sunday, September 7, 2026, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Who scored for Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes?
Ubong Friday (40′) and Fabian Nworie (45+’, 54′) scored for Kano Pillars. Godfrey Joseph (73′) and Wasiu Jimoh (90′) scored for Niger Tornadoes.
Was this Kano Pillars’ first win of the 2026/27 NPFL season?
Yes. Kano Pillars opened the season with a 2-2 draw at Kwara United before beating Niger Tornadoes 3-2 in Matchday 2, their first win of the campaign under new coach Daniel Ogunmodede.
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