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Tag: Ganaru

  • Remo 2 vs 1 Wikki Tourists: Ganaru, journalist, referee attacked in Shagamu

    Remo 2 vs 1 Wikki Tourists: Ganaru, journalist, referee attacked in Shagamu

    All hell was let loose at the Shagamu Stadium on Sunday during Remo Stars 2-1 win over Wikki Tourists in the match day 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as the visitors’ head coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru, centre referee and sports journalist, Kelvin Ekerete were attacked by the home fans.

    The home team got the first goal through Victor Chinedu before Jonathan Richard scored the equaliser for the Big Elephants.

    The Sky Blues scored the second goal in a controversial circumstances via penalty. The penalty call was protested by the Wikki Tourists players but at the end the day the penalty was awarded and scored by Victor Mbaoma.

    However, a sport journalist, Kelvin Ekerete was also rough-handled by the fans and his mobile phone was snatched. He was left with bloody nose.

    Kelvin’s undoing was his audacity to film the harassment on the match officials and the visitors.

    In a telephone conversation with SportingLife, Ganaru said the referee lost control of the match after he was attacked and intimidated which pressured him to award a dubious penalty to apiece the angry home fans.

    “We lost the match through a dubious penalty. The officiating was very bad. There was intimidation and the atmosphere was very bad. The fans attacked me and the centre referee when we were going to the dressing room at half time. Our chairman was harassed and our cameraman was also attacked. And to my surprise the referee gave a very dubious penalty to Remo Stars,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

  • CAF CONFEDERATION CUP EXIT:Wikki pass vote of confidence on Ganaru

    CAF CONFEDERATION CUP EXIT:Wikki pass vote of confidence on Ganaru

    • The Big Elephants shift focus to NPFL

    The management of Wikki Tourists has passed a vote of confidence on the coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru-led technical crew despite the team’s exit from the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
    The Big Elephants were eliminated from the championship by Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) on 2-1 aggregate.
    The management and technical crew met on Monday at an emergency meeting to review the team’s participation in the competition.
    The club’s media officer, Nasiru Kobi revealed to SportingLife that the board accepted the team’s early exit as an act of God while urging the technical crew to shift focus to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
    “After an emergency meeting of management and technical crew today (Monday), the management after listening to the technical crew accepted what happened as an act of God. Our exit has been destined by God and wants our fans to see it that way too.
    “The management passed a vote of confidence on the technical crew and urged them to focus on the NPFL and not be distracted with what happened. The management wants a big impact in the league and the technical crew has promised to do their best. The management thanks the state governor for the support,” Kobi told SportingLife.

  • Ganaru seeks international friendly matches for Wikki

    Ganaru seeks international friendly matches for Wikki

    Wikki Tourists technical adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has pleaded for  international Grade A friendly matches for his team before the commencement of CAF Confederation Cup preliminary encounter in February.

    The Big Elephants will face Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces F.C. (RSLAF FC) in the preliminary stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    RSLA host the first leg at the Forces FC Ground Wusum Sports Stadium Makeni with the return leg holding in Bauchi. Should Wikki get past the debutants, they face Club Africain of Tunisia in the first round.

    The Bauchi based outfit has played some tune up matches locally but the former Kano Pillars gaffer said most of his players need international exposure.

    Ganaru said that he is making frantic efforts to build a solid squad for the team for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and CAF competition.

    ““We are still preparing because Wikki Tourists is a team in progress.  We are really working towards building a formidable team for the coming season. The Super Four tournament was really a good test for the team. It really helped us to know more about the team. I have been able to identify some lapses in the team and we will surely work on it before the league kicks off.

    “Again, we need to play some friendly matches outside the shores of the country so as to expose the players to new things and to build their confidence before the Confederation Cup campaign. I know that we still need enough to do in the team and I am confident that we will have a good team at the end of the day,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    The first leg ties will take place between February 10 to 12, 2017 and then the second legs between February 17 to 19, 2017.

  • Katsina Utd, Gombe Utd chase Ganaru

    Katsina Utd, Gombe Utd chase Ganaru

    • Coach seeks
    divine intervention

     

    SportingLife can exclusively report that newly promoted clubs – Katsina United and Gombe United – have approached the former Kano Pillars coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru with the aim of signing him for the next season.

    Ganaru resigned from his post as the Sai Masu Gida coach at the end of the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season on mutual agreement.

    SportingLife reports that the two clubs and a club from the south-east have made contact with the experienced coach.

    Ganaru confirmed to SportingLife about the approach but he said he is yet to make his decision on the club to sign for.

    “I have received offers from three clubs but I am still waiting on God to direct me. I am still looking at their proposals and what they have on ground. I love challenges and I like to work with an ambitious club. I am not in a rush to make a decision because I know that God will direct me on a right way,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

  • Ganaru: My players showed good character

    Ganaru: My players showed good character

    Kano Pillars bounced back to winning ways on Sunday following a 2-0 victory over Sunshine Stars of Akure in a matchday 34 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

    Two goals from Amos Gyang and Gambo Mohammed gave Sai Masu Gida a deserving victory in the match. It was a sigh of relief  for the Kano-based outfit who lost 4-0 to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in their last game in Ibadan.

    In a chat with SportingLife, the club’s technical adviser, Mohammed Ganaru heaped praises on his boys for their fighting spirit.

    “Sunshine Stars are not a push-over team. It was a good game today and the boys displayed good character. We created chances and we utilised it well. It is a boost for the team and we will build on that ahead of our next game against Ikorodu United,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

  • Baleria dedicates Rivers United win to Ganaru

    Baleria dedicates Rivers United win to Ganaru

    Kano Pillars chief coach Kabiru Baleria has dedicated their 1-0 win over Rivers United in the week 32 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to technical adviser Mohammed Baba Ganaru.

    Baleria was in charge of Sai Masu Gida during Sunday’s game at the Sani Abacha Stadium in the absence of  Ganaru who was in Maiduguri to visit his sick mother.

    Gambo Mohammed’s close range finish was all Kano Pillars required to secure maximum three points in the match.

    The veteran attacker swept home Adamu Mohammed’s low cross from the right in the 23rd minute after Rabiu Ali initiated the attacking move with an incisive pass.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Baleria commended his boys for played according to game’s plans.

    “It was a huge win for us and it was a collective effort. The boys were up to the task and we thank God for the victory. Agan, I want to dedicate this victory to coach Baba Ganaru. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant our mother a sound health. We can’t wait to have him back into the team,” Baleria said.

    Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles assistant coach has redeemed its pledge of N50,000 to the team for goal scored against Rivers United.

  • I am not under pressure, Ganaru insists

    I am not under pressure, Ganaru insists

    • Decries distraction from club

    Kano Pillars technical adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has revealed to SportingLife that he is not losing sleep over his job.

    The Sai Masu Gida had been reportedly looking for a replacement for Ganaru over the club’s inconsistent results in recent times.

    The club’s chairman Kabiru Baita was also quoted that he is bringing in the Super Eagles head coach, Salisu Yusuf as a consultant to the team.

    In an exclusive chat with SportingLife, Ganaru said all the media reports are distractions to his job.

    He added that the team’s current position is not as bad as it was reported, insisting that he is very focused and determined to end the season well.

    “I have heard a lot and I have read a lot about my position in the team. I am not under pressure whatsoever and nobody should put me under pressure,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    “Our position in the league is not bad and we still have so many matches to be played. The success of a club is collective and if the club now using the media to address issue that is private to the club, I think something is very wrong.

    “The first time I won the trophy with the club we were 7th position by this time. We are 4th position on the table now and people are still not happy with what we are doing. If they are not okay with my performances they should ask me to go rather than to put unnecessary pressure on me. I won’t take that.”

    Baba Ganaru led Kano Pillars to win the Nigeria league back-to-back during his first spell at the club.

  • Ganaru’s facebook account hacked

    Ganaru’s facebook account hacked

    The facebook account of Kano Pillars’ technical adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has been hacked by fraudsters who are demanding for cash from his unsuspecting contacts.

    The former Nasarawa United coach, who confirmed the development to SportingLife, warned the public not to transact business with any individual who impersonated him.

    “My facebook account has been hacked,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    “I have received calls from various contacts who told me that someone posted on my facebook account asking people for money that he would help them get clubs.

    “The posts they have received are not from me and they should please discountenance them.”

    Identity theft is increasing among some of the country’s top stars.

    Ex-Nigerian star, Garba Lawal and  Moroka Swallows of South Africa goalkeeper, Greg Etafia, suffered a similar fate when their e-mails and telephone lines were hacked and cloned respectively.

    Top football personalities like former CAF and FIFA executive Amos Adamu and Segun Odegbami have also had their e-mail accounts hacked.

     

     

  • CAF B Coaching License: Ganaru lauds instructors

    CAF B Coaching License: Ganaru lauds instructors

    Kano Pillars Technical Adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has appreciated the efforts of the coaching instructors at the ongoing CAF B coaching License in Abuja.

    The two-week long programme which started last week will come to an end on Saturday.

    SportingLife understands that about 79 Nigerian coaches are participating in the course under the tutelage of veteran coaches including Adegboye Onigbinde, James Peters and Shuaibu Amodu.

    Notable among the coaches participating in the course includes Wikki Tourists coach Abdul Maikaba, Rangers coach, Imama Amakapabo, former Sunshine Stars coach Kennedy Boboye, ex-Mighty Jets handler Bernard Ogbe, FC Taraba coach, Ndubuisi Nduka and ex-international Friday Ekpo and host of others.

    Ganaru in a chat with SportingLife said they will put into practice everything they learn during the course when the league resumes next season.

    “I want to commend our instructors for what they have been able to do for us. We have learnt a lot from them and we are well equipped now,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    “We have ungraded our knowledge now and we will apply it in the course of our job next season.”

  • WE STILL HAVE HOPE-GANARU

    WE STILL HAVE HOPE-GANARU

    The sweat merchant of Kano Pillars football club Mohammed Babaganaru yesterday expressed optimism that his team still have hope of turning the table in the on – going league.

    Ganaru, who spoke to journalists at the  Sani Abacha stadium, after pillars defeated Lobi stars of makurdi 2-1, said that his return to Pillars has ginger players.

    According to him, “there is hope for the team and we are going to prepare for the better so that we can collectively make an impact to redeem the club from its present position.

    “l have just returned back to team and ready to reposition the club back to its rightful place in the league.”

    The captain and goalkeeper of the club  Joel  said that the players were happy with the return of the coach Ganaru, and are ready to work him, adding “we the players have confidence on him.”