Prime FC knock Pillars out of Cup

Second tier side Prime FC claimed the scalp of four-time Nigerian champions Kano Pillars in the Federation Cup round of 32 game at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Prime FC stunned the Kano giants 2-1 with Olabisi Olagunju and Lekan Oseolohun scoring their goals while Ifeanyi Matthew could only manage a consolation strike.

Pillars have always struggled to string a decent in the Cup competition as they have failed to past the round 32 in the last two editions.

In 2015, Kano Pillars succumbed to Plateau United, who were still in the second tier, via penalties in the round of 32.

Gateway FC inflicted a 2-1 defeat on them in the 2014 edition in the opening round at the national stage.

Pillars’ faithful must have hoped that this year will represent a different story for them in the Cup competition when they were drawn with Prime FC, though their last meeting in the same competition ended with the second tier outfit winning 3-1 on penalties in the 2012 edition in the losers’ final.

Believe and Achieve, as Prime FC are nicknamed, were boisterous from the start and it took them just 28 minutes to breach their illustrious opponents when captain Olagunju scored past Ibrahim Pius in Kano Pillars’ goal.

Within minutes, Prime FC were two goals up. Oseolohun’s pile driver put the daylight between the second tier side and Pillars.

On the stroke of half time, Matthew netted for Pillars to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Prime FC then put up a defensive performance to foil Pillars despite their intimidating playing personnel that had the likes of Gambo Mohammed, Rabiu Ali and Prince Aggreh.

Prime FC now progress into round of 16 of the Cup competition with Warri Wolves up next.

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