Kano Pillars, Remo Stars Clash in Relegation Six-Pointer

In a stunning twist of fate for two of Nigeria’s football powerhouses, Kano Pillars and defending champions Remo Stars are set to clash this Sunday in a high-stakes relegation battle at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Both teams find themselves entrenched in the murky waters of the relegation zone, separated by just a single point after 24 matches, a stark contrast to their recent histories of competing for top honors.

The Fall of the Champions Remo Stars, who lifted the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title barely nine months ago with a record 71 points, are now fighting for their lives in 18th place with 26 points.

Their title defense has collapsed spectacularly, marked by a 2-1 defeat to Plateau United last Monday which was their 14th loss of the season, already surpassing the nine defeats they suffered in their entire championship-winning campaign.

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The “Sky Blue Stars” have been plagued by defensive frailties, conceding 30 goals while managing to score only 22. They arrive in Kano winless in their last four matches and without key player Fabian Nworie, who is suspended.

Pillars Under Pressure The hosts, four-time champions Kano Pillars, are in an even more precarious position, sitting in 19th place with 25 points.

They come into this fixture fresh off a 2-0 loss to Rangers in Enugu, a defeat technical adviser Muhammed Babaganaru attributed to “tactical indiscipline.”

Despite the gloom, Babaganaru remains defiant. “The team must continue to work hard and remain focused,” he said, insisting that the battle for survival is far from over.

Head-to-Head History While current form favors neither side, history offers a glimmer of hope for the visitors.

Remo Stars have won four of the last five league meetings between the two clubs, including a 1-0 victory in November 2025.

Pillars, on the other hand, have managed just one win in that sequence and have failed to keep a clean sheet against the champions in their last six encounters.

A Battle for Survival Sunday’s match is no longer about chasing glory but about sheer survival. Once seen as a model for structure and consistency, Remo Stars must now rediscover their resilience to avoid the ignominy of going from champions to relegated in a single season.

For Kano Pillars, playing at home offers a critical chance to revive their belief and climb out of the drop zone. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm, with Alhassan Mustapha serving as the referee.