The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ganaru

  • Lobi Stars’ match very important — Ganaru

    Lobi Stars’ match very important — Ganaru

    Nasarawa United Technical Adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has described today’s week four Glo Premier League game against Lobi Stars as a must win for his side.

    The Lafia-based side has only picked one point in the two matches played so far this season.

    Ganaru told SportingLife that his side always dominate the pace of the game but they have been unlucky to get deserved results.

    The former Kano Pillars said he needs the win to boost the morale of his players.

    “Lobi Stars’ match is very important to us. We’ve been very unlucky in all the matches played so far this season. We always dominated the games but we were very unlucky. In the game against Taraba FC in Jalingo we got a penalty and we missed it. Also, in the game against Akwa United we played better but still shared point with them. If we win it will boost the morale of the players and it will ginger our fighting spirit,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    The former Kano Pillars coach has, however, appealed to the fans to keep their faith on the team.

    “They should believe in us and we will deliver Insha Allah. We understand their feelings and we will make them happy starting with the Lobi Stars match.”

    Nasarawa United will play Bayelsa United on Thursday.

  • Ganaru to fire up Miners

    Ganaru to fire up Miners

    Top scorer in the 2012/13 Globacom Premier League, Victor Namo, believes Mohammed Baba Ganaru can help Nasarawa United become one of the title contenders in the coming season.

    Baba Ganaru switched from Kano Pillars to Nasarawa United as head coach in the off-season and Namo is confident his club’s new gaffer can turn things around at the Solid Miners in the 2013/14 season.

    “I’ve worked with him in the past when I was a player of Kano Pillars and I know what he is capable of doing. For me, he is one of the best coaches we have right now in the league and he has shown that by winning the Globacom Premier League back to back in the past two seasons with Kano Pillars.

    “I was part of the Kano Pillars team that won the title in 2012 and I’m very excited that he has joined Nasarawa United for the new season and that for us, is a very big boost because I know he will re-engineer things here. He’s very, very hard working and professional too,” said Namo to supersport.com.

    The former Yobe Desert Stars man is however looking forward to an eventful year with Nasarawa United, who have never won a major trophy in the country.

    Namo also recognises that he will be a marked man in the coming season after finishing as top scorer in the top flight with 19 goals last term.

    “I’m praying and hoping that this coming season will be the best for me and Nasarawa United. I know with God all things are possible but at the same time, we have to work hard to get to the top and be among the top teams next season.

     

  • ‘No job for Ganaru in Nasarawa United’

    ‘No job for Ganaru in Nasarawa United’

    Chairman of Kano Pillars, Abba Yola has hinted that the man who led the club to successive league titles in the last two seasons Mohammed Baba Ganaru was not contracted by Globacom Premier League club, Nasarawa United.

    Ganaru exclusively told supersport.com on November 22 that he had quit Pillars and would resume at his new post in Lafia three days later (November 25).

    The gaffer has yet to commence work with Nasarawa United and Yola said the reasons are not far-fetched.

    “He has not resumed in Lafia because there is no job for him there. I was speaking with the Nasarawa United chairman (Isaac Daladi on Thursday) and we discussed this issue. Baba Ganaru did not resign his appointment at Kano Pillars,” Yola told supersport.com.

    Ganaru was absent in Warri on Thursday when Enyimba faced Kano Pillars in the Charity Shield and Yola moved to explain the absence of the trainer.

    “I asked him not to come and instructed his assistant to handle the game,” he said.

    Kano Pillars are the reigning Nigerian champions and will represent the country in next season’s CAF Champions League.

  • Ganaru signs a year’s deal with Nasarawa

    Ganaru signs a year’s deal with Nasarawa

    Former Kano Pillars coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru has finally signed a year’s contract with Nasarawa United.

    This has thus put to rest the reported return of the coach to Kano following pressure from the Nigeria league champions.

    “As I talk to you, Baba Ganaru has just signed an official contract with us,” confirmed Nasarawa United chairman Isaac Danladi to MTNFootball.com.

    “Ganaru has signed a one-year contract that would see him take charge for the 2013/2014 season. We have agreed on terms, but it would be out of place to divulge his earnings from the contract. However, within the week, we shall make public the club’s expectation from the coach ahead of the forth coming season.”

    Ganaru sensationally quit Pillars, saying he was pushed out by some top officials who did not appreciate his efforts. He spent five seasons at the club during which time they won the league crown thrice with him being in charge for their last two triumphs.

  • Ganaru yet to decide on Pillars future

    Ganaru yet to decide on Pillars future

    SuperSport.com can reveal that Kano Pillars gaffer, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, could be heading for a new club when the new season resumes.

    Ganaru recently entered the history books as the first manager to lead a team to back-to-back titles since the introduction of the Premier League, in Nigeria. The feat has endeared him to several clubs across the land.

    When asked about his plans for the new season, Ganaru replied: “I don’t know what will happen next season. Anything can happen.”

    Ganaru assisted Salisu Yusuf and Ladan Bosso before serving as the club’s coach in an acting capacity and later confirmed as coach of the aristocrats. Interestingly, he led the club to win the title in his first season.

    SuperSport.com learnt that several Premier League sides are monitoring the situation. Ganaru was linked to the vacant managerial position at Kwara United on the eve of the 2012/13 season, but he eventually remained with the Kano side.

    There are strong indications that Ganaru is ready to work in the South. Ganaru’s predecessors at Pillars, Yusuf and Bosso, moved to the South last term.

  • Pillars’ Ganaru to be back in action in two weeks

    Pillars’ Ganaru to be back in action in two weeks

    The Chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Galadima said on Friday that the club’s Technical Adviser, Baba Ganaru, was expected back in action in a fortnight, after recovering from an accident.

    Galadima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that Ganaru was responding positively, adding that he had been discharged from the hospital since August 7.

    NAN reports that three members of the club’s technical crew were involved in an auto crash on Aug. 1, on their way home from a Federations Cup match in Ilorin.

    He noted that the two assistant coaches, Aliyu Makaiba and Kabiru Baleria, who were discharged two days after the incident had since resumed their respective duties.

    “The technical adviser is in good shape and will resume his duties weeks from now. He has made tremendous progress since the accident.

    “We are looking forward to having him back because he is an integral part of the team. The other two coaches have resumed duties.

    “In fact, the team is on its way to Akure for our next encounter and both coaches travelled with the players,” Galadima said.

    He said the club’s management was focused on winning the league. His return would be a boost in the race for the Globacom Premier League title.

    “We are still on top of the log and the club’s board of directors and technical crew are working hand-in-hand to ensure that we win it back-to-back.

    “More so, we are expecting Ganaru back soon and we are hopeful that his return will enhance our chances of defending our title,” the chairman added.

    NAN reports that Pillars are currently occupying the top position with 42 points after 24 matches. They are scheduled to play away to Sunshine Stars of Akure today.

  • I was sleeping when it happened — Ganaru

    I was sleeping when it happened — Ganaru

    Kano Pillars’ Technical Adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, has spoken for the first time from his hospital bed at the Nasarawa Hospital, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Kano, after Thursday’s accident that involved six member of the technical crew.

    Ganaru and the five others were on their way home from Ilorin after Wednesday’s Federation Cup quarter final 3-0 defeat to Warri Wolves when the incident happened along the Kano-Zaria Road about 100km to Kano State around 2:45pm.

    SportingLife exclusively gathered that the team’s assistant coach, Kabiru Baleria, drove the car.

    Ganaru, who is still responding to treatment, told SportingLife that he had no knowledge of what happened.

    He added that he had a big cut on his head that required fourteen stitches by the doctors.

    “I want to first of all thank Almighty Allah for another opportunity to be alive again,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    “I was sleeping when the accident happened and I cannot say anything about it. I just woke up and I found myself in a pool of blood at the hospital.

    “It is people that have been telling me how it happened. They also showed me some pictures from the scene of the accident.

    “I am getting better now, eating and managing to talk. I have been told by the doctors that I need more time to rest. The doctors say I need three more days at the hospital before I could be allowed to go home.”

    SportingLife learnt that the team’s assistant coach Kabiru Baleria has been discharged from the hospital after X-rays showed that he had no internal bleeding. He was discharged at 10:00 pm on Thursday.

    It was understood that one of the front tyres of the car – a Toyota Siena – burst and the vehicle somersaulted over and over. The car then hit an articulated vehicle parked on the highway before slamming into a passerby, Abdul Azeez Ali, who died instantly. Ali was 28 years old.

    Other members involved in the accident were, Chief Coach Abdullahi Maikaba (he was hurt on his right hand), Team Manager Habibu Zubairu, Team Doctor Ali Adamu and Technical Committee Chairman, Professor Rabiu Mohammed (They sustained minor injuries).

    They were all discharged after being examined by doctors at the Murtala Specialist Hospital.

  • Ganaru, others responding to treatment

    The Chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Galadima, said on Friday that the three coaches involved in Thursday’s auto crash were responding to treatment from injuries they sustained.

    Galadima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the technical adviser, Baba Ganaru, and his assistants, Aliyu Makaiba and Kabiru Baleria were in stable conditions.

    NAN reports that the accident occurred around Gangarida, in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and killed a roadside mechanic, as the coaches were on their way home from a Federation Cup quarterfinal match.

    Pillars, currently the defending champions of the Globacom Premier League, lost the encounter 0-3 to Warri Wolves in Ilorin.

    “The coaches are responding to treatment and I must say that they have made some impressive recovery between yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday). We’re all being hopeful and prayerful toward their quick recovery. We’ve been told by the doctors that their conditions have been stable, but we cannot say when they will be discharged from hospital; the doctors will decide when,” Galadima said.

    The chairman expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their show of concern and support over the unfortunate incident.

    “On behalf of Kano Pillars, I want to say a big thank you to all Nigerians who have empathised with us either through phone calls or visitations,” he said..

    He noted that the utmost concern of the club’s management was ensuring that the coaches recovered before they could re-focus on the defence of their league title.

    Pillars currently occupy the top position in the Glo League with 39 points from 22 matches. They were scheduled to play Akwa United of Uyo today, in Kano, but the match has been postponed.

  • Fasting won’t affect Pillars — Ganaru

    Fasting won’t affect Pillars — Ganaru

    Kano Pillars Technical Adviser Mohammed Baba Ganaru says his boys will be as strong as ever during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

    Pillars lead the Globacom Premier League table with 39 points from 21 matches played so far.

    A majority of the players in the Kano team are Muslims and are expected to observe the 30-day fast. Nevertheless, Ganaru believes the team will adjust to the situation.

    “It won’t change anything in the team. We are used to it and I don’t think it will affect our plans. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is something we are already aware of, and have planned for.

    “After two or three training sessions, we will adjust to the situation. We will take it as it comes and still give everything. We have the Federation Cup to play which is the focus now,” Ganaru said.

    He continued: “If you remember, we played some matches during the Ramadan in last year’s Federation Cup and we got results. So, we are happy that we are seeing another month of Ramadan. I pray that God in his infinite mercy assists us to achieve our set target this season.”

     

  • We hope to maintain top position – Ganaru

    Baba Ganaru, the Head Coach of Kano Pillars FC, on Thursday said that the team would strive to maintain the number one spot in the Nigeria Professional Football League’s (NPFL) standings.

    Ganaru made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, against the backdrop of the team’s 3-2 victory over Kaduna United FC in a Week 14 encounter. Kano Pillars currently has 25 points from the 13 matches it had played in the ongoing season.

    “Our opponent gave us a hard game but in the end, we came out victorious; the penalty kick was a good plus for us to stay on top of the table. My boys played their game and listened to instructions, I hope to increase the tally and maintain the top position. I know it will not be an easy goal to attain but I am ready to make it happen. if my boys keep up with their recent form, we will be sure of winning all our games,’’ he said.

    Ganaru also told NAN that the team’s early exit from the CAF Champions League at the hands of AC Leopards of Congo had strengthened the resolve of the players to perform well in the league.

    “We are serious about retaining the League trophy because that will enable us play in the CAF Champions League again, next year. We want to forget what happened against AC Leopards and focus on winning the league this year,’’ he added.