Sikiru Alimi made a dramatic return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), scoring a stunning second-half goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Kano Pillars against Kun Khalifat FC in Owerri on Friday.

Kano Pillars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede opted to start key figures Alimi, Rabiu Ali, and Ahmed Musa (who had recently recovered from illness) on the bench. Instead, Ogunmodede deployed Ubong Friday and Yahaya Ibrahim to lead the Sai Masu Gida attack.

Host coach Obinna Uzoho shuffled his lineup following Kun Khalifat's previous defeat to Enyimba, bringing in Ebunobi Onyedika, Chukwuma Agor, and Benjamin Onyedikachi for Peter Ikechukwu, Chima Deruo, and Chidera Oparaocha.

The first half proved evenly contested, though Kano Pillars created the clearest opening midway through. Yahaya skipped past his marker, but his goal-bound strike was parried away by Kun Khalifat goalkeeper Esomchi Ekwujuru.

With the second half starting slowly, Ogunmodede made a decisive double substitution in the 57th minute, introducing Ahmed Musa and Sikiru Alimi for Ubong Friday and Justus Ohanu. Five minutes later, Uzoho responded by replacing Onyedikachi with Stanley Otu.

Ogunmodede’s tactical shift paid off just 17 minutes after the restart. Alimi timed a run off the last defender, collected the ball from the flank, and drove toward the center. Intending to set up Musa, the ball rebounded off a Kun Khalifat defender back into Alimi's path, and the striker unleashed a crisp finish from the edge of the box past Ekwujuru. The strike marked Alimi's first goal since returning from his spell abroad, having logged just 53 minutes across two league appearances.

Kano Pillars appeared set to claim their first away victory of the season, but Kun Khalifat struck back in the closing stages. The hosts were awarded a late penalty, which Ebuka Okoro calmly converted to salvage a point.

Despite missing out on all three points, the draw moves Kano Pillars within two points of league leaders Rangers International, who host Kwara United on Sunday.

Matchday action continues Sunday and Monday with eight fixtures across the country. Meanwhile, the encounter between Sporting Lagos and Rivers United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos has been postponed.