The trio was relegated to the NNL from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season due to poor performance.
Kano Pillars, Katsina United, and Heartland of Owerri have started their campaigns in the Nigeria National League (NNL) with victories on opening day.
Pulse Sports reports that the trio was relegated to the NNL from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season due to poor performance.
Sokoto United 0-1 Kano Pillars
Four-time NPFL champion Kano Pillars, one of the oldest clubs in the country, defeated Sokoto United away from home to record a victory on day one.
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Pillars earned a vital 1-0 away win at the Giginya Stadium in Sokoto.
Yusuf Abdullahi’s 52-minute strike ensured Pillars started with a victory in the second division.
Our target is to return to NPFL - Kano Pillars blow hot
Kano Pillars Coach Evans Ogenyi said after the victory against Sokoto United that the target is to pick an NPFL ticket.
“Pillars is a historic side with great followership, I am proud of my players, who did so well to ensure we won here today,Our resolve was not to leave Sokoto empty, we got a good fight from Sokoto. We are going back to prepare better for our next game to be better," he said.
Pillars will host Kebbi United at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on match day two of Group A3 of the Northern Conference.
Katsina United thrash City Fc
Katsina United thrashed City FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
The Changi Boys nailed City FC of Abuja 3-0 to take the lead in Group A2 of the Northern Conference.
A Nazifi Yahaya brace and Sanusi Abdul goals were enough for Katsina United to record a victory at home.
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Heartland pip Abia Comets
Heartland of Owerri pounded the Abia Comets 1-0 away at the Umuahia Township Stadium to also record a victory on day one.
Onyekachi Okafor's efforts in the first 10 minutes were just what the Nazi millonaires needed to start NNL on a high note.
Pulse Sports reports that newcomers Madiba FC disunited Ekiti United at the MJ Arena, a waterfront stadium in Onikan, Lagos.
Ijebu United killed the happiness in Joy Cometh FC with a 2-1 result, and Sporting Lagos outsmarted Smart City FC 2-1 in their home.
Gateway United also shocked Crown FC at the Soun Stadium in Ogbomoso.
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