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Tag: Kano Pillars

  • Kano Pillars condole bereaved Jamiu Alimi

    Kano Pillars condole bereaved Jamiu Alimi

    Kano Pillars have sent a message of condolence to defender Jamiu Alimi following the death of his father.

    Alimi’s father passed away in Lagos yesterday morning after a brief illness.

    In a statement signed by Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa, the club prayed for the departed soul of Alimi senior and prayed for the family to have the fortitude to bear this huge loss.

    “The entire Pillars team wish to condole with Jamiu Alimi on the passing away of his father,” read the statement in part.

    “May Allah accept his soul. We also pray for the family to also have the courage to bear the loss of their father.”

    Alimi  said he was shattered by the passing of his father.

    “My dad was my motivator and now I’ve lost him. My pain is my dad died when my career is wearing a new look. I had promised to make him more comfortable before he passed on,” mourned the former Shooting Stars defender.

  • Kano Pillars’ South African tour moved till next month

    This year’s Amanxamalala Mzanzi International Cup in South Africa, which will feature Nigeria’s Kano Pillars, has been moved to next month.

    Amic 2016 to assist 40 charities in South Africa was originally scheduled for this month, but will now be staged in the first week of September during the FIFA-friendly window then.

    Pillars top official Hassan Abdullahi Garo said the postponement was due to a request from Spanish La Liga side Espanyol, who specially asked that the competition be shifted as the league in Spain will start shortly.

    Top South African clubs Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will also feature in the annual invitational tournament.

  • Yusuf denies Kano Pillars’ consultancy job

    Yusuf denies Kano Pillars’ consultancy job

    Super Eagles interim boss, Salisu Yusuf has told Goal that he is still far from joining Kano Pillars as a consultant and indicating as premature the report credited to the club’s chairman, Kabiru Baita.

    “I am not yet a consultant to Kano Pillars because everything has to go through a process. I was approached to help out but I can say that they have not contacted me since the last time we spoke about it. I feel it is still premature to discuss issues like that in the media. I have to discuss with my employer, the NFF for permission and there must be an agreement first,” Yusuf told Goal.

    Yusuf confirmed that there was a discussion with the chairman of Sai Masu Gida  a few weeks ago when he told him that he was not happy with the performance of the technical crew headed by Mohammed Baba Ganaru and that he might take drastic action to save the club if results do not improve soon.

    He revealed that he advised Baita not to contemplate the option of sacking the technical crew as the position of the club was not too alarming but that assistace could be sought from more capable hands to render help to the present technical crew so that the club could achieve some good before the end of the season.

  • Eagles: Sponsor ‘develops cold feet’ over foreign coach

    Eagles: Sponsor ‘develops cold feet’ over foreign coach

    There are indications that Nigeria may be forced to settle for a local coach for the Super Eagles next month after a proposed company to foot the bills of an expatriate handler “developed cold feet”.

    According to AfricanFootball.com, it was gathered that the recent leadership tussle in Nigerian football may have thrown the oil company off forking out close to $2 million spread over two years for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to hire a top-rated foreign coach.

    “The oil company was ready to give the NFF close to $100,000 a month to take care of a top foreign coach and his assistants, but since the latest round of instability in the Nigerian football polity, the company has developed cold feet,” a top source told AfricanFootball.com.

    “The NFF on their own do not have the cash to pay for such a coach and the government through the sports minister has made it very clear it will not pay for a foreign coach.

    “That could well have informed the NFF recent announcement that the vacant Super Eagles top post will be taken up by the best candidate whether he is local or foreign.”

    Sunday Oliseh quit the post in February for Samson Siasia to take temporary charge of the Eagles for the AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt in March.

    Former Kano Pillars and Enyimba coach Salisu Yusuf will be in interim charge for two friendlies against Mali on May 27 and Luxembourg on June 1.

    The NFF has disclosed a new Eagles coach will be named next month after shortlisted candidates are be interviewed. 

  • Kano Pillars break Sunshine Stars three years jinx in Akure

    Kano Pillars break Sunshine Stars three years jinx in Akure

    Kano Pillars broke a three-year jinx in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when they defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday on the Match-Day 14.

    Adamu Mohammed’s 82 minutes goal was all Sai Masu Gida needed to secure maximum three points in the match and the only away win this weekend.

    It was a game that saw both sides create several scoring opportunities but the visitors made use of one out of many.

    The win was a boost for the four-time champions to reclaim NPFL title they surrendered to Enyimba last season.

    The home side made the first attempt in the 4th minute but Pillars goalkeeper Yusuf Muhammad rushed out to clear the danger before Quadri Samad pounces in.

    Yusuf made another fine save to deny Sunday Abe’s effort from a well taken free kick.

    Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was called to action in the 48th minute as his fingertip save denied Omo Johnson the chance to put Pillars ahead.

    The visitors had another chance to take the lead in the 59th minute but Prince Aggreh surprisingly missed a one-on-one chance with Ezenwa.

    Sunshine Stars Dele Olorundare went close to giving the home side the equalizer but his efforts only hit the side netting and despite a late pressure Kano Pillars held on for a vital win in front of 5,498 spectators in Akure.

  • Kano Pillars, Rangers qualify for Fed Cup finals

    Kano Pillars, Rangers qualify for Fed Cup finals

    Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers have qualified for the finals of their respective state Federation Cups.

    Pillars beat Nationwide League side Ramcy United 2-0 in the semi-final of the cup competition in Kano State, while Rangers also stopped Nsukka United 2-0 in the semis of the Enugu State version.

    Second-half goals by Nafiu Kabuga and Promise James gave Pillars victory.

    Pillars will now face the winners of the other semi-final between Junior Pillars and Samba Kurna in Sunday’s final.

    Togaba Komlan opened scoring for Rangers from the penalty spot after Michael Ogbodo was fouled inside the box, before Ocheme Edoh made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute.

    Nsukka goalkeeper Chikodi Ngwigi was outstanding.

    ‘The Flying Antelopes’  will now battle Disdevet in the final.

  • Kano govt set to fly Kano Pillars for away games

    Kano govt set to fly Kano Pillars for away games

    Kano State government is considering flying players and officials of Kano Pillars for their away match in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League.

    The chairman Kano State Sports Commission, Ibrahim Galadima revealed this during his meeting with the players and technical committee of the club in his office in Kano

    The team’s delegation was in his office to congratulate him on his new appointment.

    Galadima said the move was necessitated to reduce the fatigue players are suffering while going for away matches.

    The former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFA) urged them to be focused and be good ambassadors to the government and people of Kano State anywhere they find themselves.

    He praised them for their commitments so far in the league and urged them to keep it up.

     

  • Ali promises more goals for Kano Pillars

    Ali promises more goals for Kano Pillars

    Kano Pillars climbed to second spot in the NPFL table after securing a 3-2 win over Akwa United thanks to a hat-trick from Rabiu Ali.

    Ali, who boasts of eight caps for Nigeria was in splendid form as Pillars came from behind to secure a win over Akwa.

    According to him, Pillars approached the game positively against the Promise Keepers and thus deserved the win.

    “We approach every match with a positive mindset and that match against Akwa United wasn’t an exception,” Ali told Goal.

    “The continuous cheer from our fans is enough reason to give one’s best at all times. I’m really glad that I got those goals but I must thank my team mates for those opportunities they created for me.

    “Sincerely I’m just privileged to be at the right place at the right time. Goal is the name of the game so I pray that we shall score goals aplenty insha Allah.”

    Kano Pillars visit Lobi Stars in the next Nigeria topflight outfit.

  • Kano Pillars are Gold Cup Champions

    Kano Pillars are Gold Cup Champions

    Former Nigeria Premier League champions, Kano Pillars Football Club yesterday (Friday) won this year’s edition of the Gold Cup Pre-Season tournament.

    The tournament, which took place in Ijebu Ode, was hailed by many as one of the best so far. A lot of emphasis were on the quality of football played by the teams and the level of competitiveness that came along with it.

    Pillars beat Supreme Court FC 2-1 to win the trophy of the third edition of the favourite pre-season tournament played at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode.

    The Sai Masu Gida outfit silenced the Apex Boys in a pulsating finals to emerge winners of the pre-season competition.

    Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru’s men dominated the encounter with Omo Johnson putting Pillars in front in the 23rd minute with a sublime half volleyball, Rabiu Ali got the winning goal via a 39th minute penalty and inspirational Mubarak Saidu, pulled one back for Supreme Court from the penalty spot.

    Thereafter, Supreme dictated the pace for most period of the game but Pillars held up all the while ensuring the encounter was not decided via penalty shootout.

    Meanwhile, Omo Johnson claimed the Golden Boot with three goals, while Mubarak Saidu, was voted the Most Valuable Player.

    However, the annual football championship is staged to help Nigerian league clubs fine tune their preparations ahead of the new season.It featured nine teams with Lobi Stars, Giwa FC, COD United, FC Ebedei, Remo Stars, Crown FC and Imperial FC.

  • Kano Pillars clear air on Henlong’s transfer

    Kano Pillars clear air on Henlong’s transfer

    2014 NPFL champions, Kano Pillars have said the deal for  former Giwa FC captain, Charles Henlong is all but complete according to coach Mohammed Babaganaru.

    Henlong, who is yet to win his full international cap for Nigeria captained the Tin City side through two decent seasons since the club’s promotion to the top flight.

    However, speaking with footballlive.ng, Babaganaru said while the central Midfielder is certain to join Pillars in the new season, his transfer will be put to bed once the player’s clearance is received.

    Henlong has since joined Pillars in the pre-season and Babaganaru stressed that the player has put pen to paper for the former champions and this deal was duly copied to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the proprietor of the Jos based side.