Another season, same ol’ Rabiu Ali would be the line after the magical performance by the 43-year-old captain of Kano Pillars against Ikorodu City in their opening game of the new NPFL season.
This opening match day also saw a brace from Enyimba new signing Clinton Jephtha to give his team the win in the ‘Oriental Derby’ at Heartland, but Rabiu Ali’s consistency over the years gave him the edge.
This season makes it 15 seasons the evergreen attacking midfielder has spent in the Nigeria Premier Football League all with Kano Pillars.
The man Rabiu Ali netted twice for Sai Masu Gida as they raced to a 3-0 win over the newly promoted side.
Pillars struggled to break the Ikorodu City defence as the new boys formed an irresistible rear guard in the first half, but they finally broke the deadlock through Mustapha Umar in the 62nd minute.
The Legend Rabiu Ali then arose!
Exactly seven minutes later, Ali was brought down at the edge of the penalty box, and struck the resulting freekick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Olughu Chinemerem in the Ikorodu City goal.
He was not done yet.
Ten minutes later Ali had a good run with the ball before he unleashed a belter into the back of the net, to complete the demolition of the new NPFL boys.
