It is exactly a decade since Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, last lost a home game in the Professional Football League. Julius Berger FC (Bridge Boys FC) were the last club to inflict defeat on Kano Pillars on their home ground on June 21, 2003. Pillars lost that game 1-2.
Kano Pillars head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru is happy to be the man in the saddle when this milestone is achieved.
“We’ve always wanted to achieve this as a team when we knew that we are close to achieving such a record. It’s always a proud moment when your name is called alongside a team or club that has achieved an enviable record such as this,” said Ganaru.
Close shaves
But this record did not come without being threatened at some point in recent seasons in the NPFL. On January 15, 2011, Kano Pillars were just seconds away from losing to Sharks after Victor Ezeji opened scoring on 12 minutes inside the Sani Abacha Stadium.
However, Victor Namo’s goal in added time saved Pillars the blushes in a season they finished fourth in the final standings behind Dolphins, Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves.
“On that day, we did everything right but Sharks scored first and they defended so well but I got the lucky break and scored very, very late in the game. For us, it was like a win because we couldn’t imagine disappointing our fans,” said Namo, who now plays for NPFL rivals, Nasarawa United.
In the same season of 2010/11, another Port Harcourt club, Dolphins, provided Pillars another scare. Though the Kano club won 3-2 but left it late again.
Former Dolphins player, Ahmed Abdulrahman, now the club secretary, describes that game officiated by referee Kola Akinwale as “interesting.”
But the near hit on Pillars’ home invincibility continued last season with Heartland also coming close to ending the streak in March 2012. Obinna Orji scored for Heartland in the 30th minute but after toiling for 43 minutes, Gambo Mohammed put the game level.
However, this term two teams have stretched Kano Pillars the most at home. They are Kaduna United and Lobi Stars though the former were bitter with the officiating.
On May 22, Kaduna United stood man for man with Pillars in Kano but it was Rabiu Ali’s late goal from the spot that gave the Nigerian champions a nervy 3-2 win. Nine days ago, Lobi Stars put up a real battle and scored first through Onche Ogidison before Ikechukwu Gabriel put Pillars back in the tie that ended 1-1.
“It was a difficult game as we fell behind. But I was confident that we were not going to lose with the record in sight and thank God we didn’t,” said Ganaru.
But in the run-in to achieving their one decade streak, Kano Pillars just strolled past north-eastern rivals, El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 last week with two first half goals from Kabiru Umar and Mustapha Musa.
Driving force behind streak
There have been different school of thoughts on what makes Kano Pillars tough at home. Captain of the club, Theophilus Afelokhai, believes the presence of fans at their home ground on matchdays is a big factor.
“You can’t have such a full house during matches and not give your best. The presence of fans at our stadium is usually encouraging and we do our best not to lose at home,” said the goalkeeper to supersport.com.
Afelokhai’s view is also shared by two former Kano Pillars players, Namo and Imama Amapakabo as well as Ezeji, Abdulrahman and Dolphins’ spokesman, China Acheru, who has watched several league matches at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Ezeji said: “I’ve played there on several occasions and I’ve never won a game there. The stadium is always filled to capacity, packed with fans and by far the best atmosphere. I’ve never had cause to complain about any underhand dealings or poor officiating there because they’ve got the best turnout of supporters. Imagine a greenhorn playing at that stadium, the jitters will always set in with such intimidating fanbase.”
“You will agree with me the support they get from their fans plays a vital role in making this a reality especially in the face of a defeat,” Abdulrahman said.
Acheru also said: “Kano is a very difficult place to play in and get a result. If there are 40,000 fans in the stadium, 39,900 are Pillars fans who urge them on all 90 minutes. When you have the fans behind you in such a way it is easy to win than lose. That’s the secret to the Pillars success story.”
Amapakabo, who kept goal for Kano Pillars in the 1990s, gave an insider’s view on the run. “The fanbase is a big, big factor among other factors I wouldn’t want to mention. During my time at Pillars, the gate-takings conveniently paid for our match bonuses, so that tells you why the players give their all in home games just to make the fans enjoy their money’s worth. In Kano, every game is a sell-out to the crowd irrespective of the opposition.
“Pillars’ invincibility is also helped by the mentality of players, especially of the opposing teams, believing that it is impossible to win in Kano,” said Amapakabo, who is now coach at Enyimba.
In spite of this milestone, Ganaru does not want to heap the pressure on his team by talking up on extending the run. Instead he is focused on the title race.
“It will be unnecessary pressure,” said Ganaru. “Our focus is on our remaining matches this season. It’s still a long road to end the season but our form at home has been impressive in the past 10 years. Now we will need to do well in our away games as well. But until then the title is not yet won.”
Ezeji, who is the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) ambassador, summed it up saying it is going to be difficult to end Kano Pillars’ run at home but will not rule it happening in future.
“It’s always going to be tough winning in such an intimidating ground because their players are always fired up. But records do end and some day it will though the team that will do such will have to be exception and on top of their game,” said Ezeji.
Kano Pillars ended the first round of this season as leaders of the log with 36 points and will start their second round campaign at El-Kanemi Warriors on July 3.
But the champions will aim to keep their home prestige running four days later when they play hosts to Wikki Tourists.
