The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kano Pillars

  • Kano Pillars maintain top spot

    Kano Pillars maintained their leadership of Nigeria league with an emphatic 4-0 home win over Gombe United on Wednesday.

    Pillars now have 31 points from 16 matches, while Gombe United have 22 points.

    Pillars coach Mohammed Babaganaru told MTNFootball.com they deserved to win as they stay on course to retain their championship.

    “It was a good result, we worked for it and we got it. We have our target which is to defend our title successfully. We will keep taking the games as they come, one after the other,” Babaganaru told MTNFootball.com

    Manir Ubale and Promise James scored in quick succession in the 20th and 22nd minutes to give Pillars a 2-0 lead.

    Rabiu Ali made it 3-0 in the 66th minute to take his goal haul to six this season, before Buhari Musa completed the demolition in the 79th minute.

    In Ilorin, ABS pounded six-time league champions Enyimba 3-0.

    ABS now have 19 points from 16 matches, while Enyimba have 22 points.

    The Ilorin outfit opened scoring through Stone Evbawien in the 23rd minute, before the team’s leading scorer Ichull Lordson made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Ajibola Otegbeye was brought down by the Enyimba goalkeeper in the 70th minute.

    Three minutes later, Sala Abiodun took the game beyond Enyimba with the third goal.

    Ichull now has four goals this season.

  • Injury derails Heartland against Kano Pillars

    Injury derails Heartland against Kano Pillars

    Heartland assistant chief coach, Ramson Madu has blamed his side’s defeat at Kano Pillars to the injuries picked by the duo, Amarachi Ukaegbu and Tochukwu Esom.

    Midfielder, Rabiu Ali scored the match winner in the 73rd minute to give his side a three-point lead at the top on 28 points against second-placed Heartland’s 25 points from possible 45.

    The encounter was a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday Eight at the Fifa Goal Project pitch in Abuja on Saturday.

    Madu said the injury to the left-back and striker caused his side to effect hurried changes that did not go down well with the manner the side’s executed the game.

    “We’ve taken the defeat in good faith, the injuries to our left-back, Amarachi Ukaegbu and striker, Tochukwu Esom caused us the game.

    “We tried to do quick adjustment but it didn’t work out especially in the second half of the game.

    “We didn’t up our game in the second half like we did in the first half. I can’t explain it and that’s why I’ve avoided blaming the side for the defeat.

    “They’ve been doing very well in past matches, maybe today (Saturday) is not their day, it does happen in football. Today actually wasn’t their day, we’ve decided to look ahead to the next match at El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri on Wednesday,” said the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale star player to supersport.com.

    Madu defended the coach’s decision to start the side’s top scorers, Isah Akor and Happy Okuoka from the bench.

    “Akor and Okuoka are not our best strikers. We have lots of strikers but decision on who starts the match is based on performance at training, so decision to bring them in into the game is part of the strategy for the game,” he said.

    The Nigerian Cup holders will head to Maiduguri to confront El-Kanemi Warriors in mid-week NPFL Matchday 16 at the Maiduguri Township Stadium thereafter the side will head southeast to tackle Enugu Rangers in Enugu in Matchday 17.

  • Pillars reclaim top spot

    Kano Pillars have returned to the top of the Nigeria league after they beat Heartland 1-0 in a replayed Week 4 game in Abuja on Saturday.

    Champions Pillars now have 28 points from 15 matches, while Heartland drop to second position with 25 points.

    Midfielder Rabiu Ali scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute to earn Pillars the maximum three points. He has now scored six goals.

    The first match was abandoned after a policeman shot a fan at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Kabiru Umar told MTNFootball.com it was great for Pillars to claim the three points at the expense of his former club.

    “It was not an easy game as expected because Heartland are strong and considering their position. We had to work extra hard to get the victory. We will build on this so as to remain on top of the table,” he told MTNFootball.com

    Heartland skipper Chinedu Efugh told MTNFootball.com that it was a good game for both sides, but his team were unlucky not to get something out of it.

  • Kwankwaso inaugurates Kano Pillars new board

    Kwankwaso inaugurates Kano Pillars new board

    Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has inaugurated the 15-man board of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Kano Pillars on Wednesday.

    Governor Kwankwaso during the swearing-in ceremony at the government house, Kano charged the new board to use their football experience to move the club forward.

    He said that he chose the former Special Assistant Technical to the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Abba Yola as the club chairman based on his fast experience in sports administration, which according to him, will be used in transforming the team to a greater height.

    “This government wants something good for the club that is why we took our time after the last board to appoint credible people we think will tinker the club to a better one everyone will be proud of. Abba Yola was called upon to lead the club because this government believes his experience in football management is needed to transform the club and I believe they will deliver.

    “So I urge all of you to work together in the interest of the club and the people of Kano in general,” Governor Kwankwaso said.

    Responding on behalf of the board, Abba Yola thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the state while he promised that he and his executive will not disappoint the state government and the people of the state.

    “I on behalf of member of this board we want to thank his Excellency governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for his confidence in us as well as an opportunity to serve the state in this capacity. We will use our influence to get more people to sponsor the team so as to reduce the burden from the state government. We will not let the government down by discharging our duty as expected of us,” Abba Yola said.

    The former Special Assistant Technical to the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Abba Yola will be the chairman while the club’s secretary Bashir Ahmed Maizare will serve as the board’s secretary.

    Other members of the 15-man board are Abba Galadima as General Manager, Khalid Bello, Dr. Rabiu Muhd Chanhu, Babangida Little, Kabiru Ali, Sharu Rabiu Ahlan and Nasiru Garba Bichi.

    Others are Bashir Idris Mu’azu, Babangida Adamu, Shehu Adamu, Muhd Rabiu Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Uba Danzainab and Garba Umar.

  • Kano Pillars, where is my 10,000 Euros?

    Atlanta 1996 gold medalist Emmanuel Babayaro is running out of patience with Kano Pillars over their refusal to fulfill their financial obligations following the transfer of Super Eagles midfielder Reuben Gabriel to Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock.

    The Nigeria Premier League had instructed Kano Pillars to honour the agreement signed with Pioneers Academy, but the Nigeria champions are dragging their feet on the matter.

    Just before the start of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, Kano Pillars sold Reuben Gabriel to English agent Tony Harris for a fee of 100,000 euros.

    To date, Kano Pillars have not yet remitted the sum of 10,000 euros to Babayaro’s Pioneer Academy being their share of Reuben Gabriel’s transfer fee.

    Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com, Emmanuel Babayaro said: ”I had been patient with Kano Pillars. They promised to pay Pioneers Academy immediately they return from their CAF Champions League engagement in Congo. But I have not heard from them since they returned to the country.

    ”Kano Pillars’ decision not to pay was not made with the interest of the player at heart. I can take this case to FIFA, and Reuben’s Kilmarnock contract might be cancelled.

    ”Reuben and I are both from Kaduna. I don’t want the indigenes to think that I am spoiling the progress of a player that I nurtured. That is the reason I want to exhaust all my options before taking the final step, which is reporting Pillars to FIFA.”

    Meanwhile, ex Kano Pillars ace Papa Idris remains stuck in Nigeria awaiting the release of his international passport by the British embassy.

    Kilmarnock are getting impatient and want the defender to be on the next available flight to the United Kingdom immediately he is granted a visa.

  • CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALL-OUT Kano Pillars’ dressing room burgled

    CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALL-OUT Kano Pillars’ dressing room burgled

    Players’ mobile phones stolen
    Commissioner promises refund

     

    Players and officials of Kano Pillars were still in the state of shock following the treatment meted out to them in Congo Brazzaville during their CAF Champions League first round second leg tie against AC Leopards on Sunday.

    SportingLife gathered that Kano Pillars’ dressing room was burgled during the first half of the encounter and the players’ mobile phones were stolen.

    The Nigeria representative crashed out of the competition on away-goal rule following a 3-0 defeat against AC Leopards after a two-legged fixture ended 4-4 aggregate.

    “Apart from the fact that we lost the game in a controversial way, our dressing room was burgled and all our players’ mobile phones were missing before we returned to the dressing room after the half time. They did not allow us to enter the stadium with phones or camera that is why we packed it inside a bag only to find out that they were not there again. It was a terrible experience for us and something like this should be discouraged by CAF,” Malikawa said.

    The club chairman Abba Galadima has told SportingLife that there won’t be any special bonus for the players as regards the match, but the state commissioner for Information, Umar Farouk Jubril has promised to refund their lost phones.

    “Our normal tradition is to give them (players and the technical crew) something tangible when they win a match but with what happened, there won’t be special bonus for the players. What we are trying to do is to give them some cash to get new phones. The state government through the state Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture, Dr Umar Faruk Jubril has promised to give us some cash and give it to the players to buy new phones,” Galadima said.

  • Kano Pillars eye point in Bauchi

    Kano Pillars eye point in Bauchi

    League champions, Kano Pillars, are aiming to kick start their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener on a high note as the Pyramid side lock horn with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in one of today’s league matches at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

    The players and technical crew traveled to Bauchi on Saturday in preparation for the clash while the team’s officials as well as supporters are expected to storm Bauchi today.

    The Kano Pillars media officer, Idris Malikawa told SportingLife that the defending champions want a good beginning to sustain their confidence, adding that preparations are on top gear for the clash.

    “First of all we are all happy that league is finally commenced after several postponements. A team playing in the continent, we need matches to boost our fitness level. Although, we’ve played some games and we won but this will give us more playing time,” Malikawa said.

    “Our players are ready and all our fans are ready for the league. We are looking for a good beginning in the game against Wikki Tourists on Sunday (today). We want to come back with at least a point.”

  • Reuben thrilled over LBA nomination

    Reuben thrilled over LBA nomination

    Kano Pillars’ midfielder, Gabriel Reuben is over the moon with his nomination in the end-of-the-season League Bloggers Award (LBA).

    Reuben has been nominated to stand in the Best National Team Player and Player of the Year categories in the maiden edition of the LBA.

    He told supersport.com: “I’m so happy to be mentioned among some of the best players in the Nigerian Premier League after a very fruitful season with my club, Kano Pillars. It shows that I’m reckoned with and I thank God for that.

    “But I’ll say my teammates and the coaches did make this possible because football is a team sport and I wouldn’t have achieved this all by myself.”

    On fellow nominees for the two categories in which he will stand for, Reuben believes it is an open floor for any of them to win. He stated that the other nominees did well to be mentioned in the running for the awards in the categories.

    “For them to be part of the nominees it means they are good as well and anyone can win in the two categories. But being nominated is a plus for my career,” he said.

    Reuben faces a challenge for the Best National Team Player from Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves) and Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves).

    In the Player of The Year category, he will come up against David Tyavkase (Lobi Stars), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars) and the season’s leading scorer, Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes).

    The 2012 LBA will hold in Lagos in October.

    LBA Nominees & Categories

    1. Rookie of the Year

    •Solomon Jabason (Akwa United)

    •Austin Amutu (Warri Wolves)

    •Andrew Abalogu (ABS)

    •Bright Esieme (ABS)

    2. Best Goalkeeper

    •Femi Thomas (Akwa United)

    •Moses Ocheje (Sunshine Stars)

    •Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

    •Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

    3. Best Foreigner

    •Ousmane Pape Sane (Sharks/Senegal)

    •Tamen Medrano (Sunshine Stars/Cameroon)

    •Pierre Coly (Sharks/Senegal)

    •Adama Coulibaly (Warri Wolves/Mali)

    •Owusu Addae (Dolphins/Ghana)

    4. Club of the Year

    •Kano Pillars

    •ABS

    •Lobi Stars

    •Enugu Rangers

    5. Best Designed Club Jersey

    •3SC (OWU)

    •Warri Wolves (NOMIS)

    •Kano Pillars (Cone)

    6. Highest Goal Scorer Award

    •Sibi Gwar – 16 goals

    7. Manager of the Year (NPL)

    •Okey Emordi (Enugu Rangers)

    •Dominic Iorfa (Lobi Stars)

    •Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)

    8. Manager of the Year (Africa)

    •Maurice Cooreman (Warri Wolves)

    •Gbenga Ogunbote (Sunshine Stars)

    •Lodewijk de Kruif (Heartland)

    •Stanley Eguma (Dolphins)

    9. Best National Team Player

    •Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)

    •Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

    •Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars)

    •Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves)

    10. Player of The Year

    •Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars)

    •David Tyavkase (Lobi Stars)

    •Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars)

    •Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes)

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