In a significant development for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the upcoming Matchday 38 encounter between Plateau United and Kano Pillars is set to take place in an empty stadium. The club officially confirmed this measure on Friday, citing security concerns as the primary reason for the decision.
The match, which pits Gbenga Ogunbote’s squad against their opponents, is scheduled for Sunday at the New Jos Stadium. This fixture carries immense weight for both teams, as Plateau United requires a victory to guarantee their survival in the top flight, while Kano Pillars must avoid defeat to stave off relegation threats.
Currently, Kano Pillars occupy the 10th spot on the league table with 48 points, narrowly ahead of Plateau United, who sit in 12th place with 47 points. The relegation picture is already grim for Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists, who have been demoted to the second division, with two additional clubs destined to join them in the drop zone.
The decision to play behind closed doors underscores the high stakes surrounding this critical NPFL fixture, as both sides fight for their respective objectives under heightened tension.