Nigeria, Jan. 29 -- Ahmed Musa was the difference on Wednesday as Kano Pillars edged Katsina United 1-0 in a tense North West derby.

The hard-earned result brought relief to the struggling former champions and added fresh twists to the Nigeria Premier Football League standings.

Musa scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, showing his experience at a moment when Pillars badly needed leadership.

The performance by the former Super Eagles captain earned him the Sai Masu Gida Fans' Player of the Match award, voted by the Kano chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

The victory moves Kano Pillars to 18th place on 25 points after 23 matches, keeping them in the relegation zone but narrowing the gap to safety. Katsina Unite...