The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pillars

  • Super 4: Wolves spank Pillars 2-0

    Super 4: Wolves spank Pillars 2-0

    Enyimba Football Club and Warri Wolves fired warnings to their continental Premier League opponents as the Aba based side maul Bayelsa 3-0 while Wolves spanked the Nigeria Professional Football League defending Champion 2-0 in the ongoing Pre-season competition for continental bound teams in Nigeria popularly called the Super Four.

    Wolves’ goals were scored by Kola Anubi in the 42nd minute and Efe Yarhere off a deflection in the 90th minute to seal the ambition of Pillars.

    Wolves’ handler, Paul Aigbogun praised his boys for playing to instruction and hoped the team could continue to improve in the competition.

    “Pillars is a strong side but I told my players what to do to unsettle their play which they carried out to the letter,” the Wolves’ tactician disclosed.

    But Pillars Coach defended his team’s loss praising them for playing well in the match.

    “My boys played well and will continue to improve. We have not played many matches while our opponent have. I am not giving excuses we will bounce back in the competition,” he said.

    The Day 2 match comes up Sunday with the first match to be played between Enyimba FC and Warri Wolves at 2pm while the 2nd match between Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United will come up at 4pm.

  • Pillars appoint Baleria as Technical Adviser

    Pillars appoint Baleria as Technical Adviser

    • Maikaba remains chief coach

    The management of Kano Pillars has appointed coach Kabiru Baleria as the club’s Technical Adviser.

    Baleria replaced former handler, Baba Ganaru who left the club to join Nasarawa United.

    The club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa told SportingLife that the appointment was approved by the board during its meeting on Thursday at the club’s secretariat in Kano.

    Malikawa informed that Pillars’ acting head coach Abdul Maikaba will now serve as the chief coach.

    The board appealed to the Kano State Government to approve Pillars’ request to appoint the new Technical Adviser considering the challenges ahead of the club.

    Malikwa added that the board adopted the report of its Sub-Committee for the CAF Champions League, urging them to forge ahead and come up with more recommendations that will guide the club to success.

    The Abba Yola-led board commended the Kano State Governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his support to the team and assured that the board will not fail him and the people of Kano. He urged politicians in Kano to avoid bringing politics into the club’s affairs. The management then pleaded with the people of the state and fans of Pillars to continue praying for the team’s success.

    “The management has considered lots of things before reaching these conclusions. We have limited time to prepare for the CAF Champions League and we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We don’t want that to distract the club’s programmes,” Malikawa told SportingLife.

  • Pillars targets third consecutive title

    Pillars targets third consecutive title

    The Chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Yola said on Wednesday that the club was confident of retaining the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League title for the third time.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2013/2014 league season is scheduled to kick-off on Feb. 22.

    Yola told NAN that the club’s target was to become the only side to have won the league thrice consecutively, as well as perform creditably in the continent.

    “By the special grace of God we are hoping to set a record by winning the league for the third time in a row and that quest is achievable. We’ve done our best by recruiting some good players and we are on the verge of getting a technically gifted head coach to handle the team,” he said.

    The chairman added that he was happy with the contributions of their players to the success of the Super Eagles at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), holding in South Africa.

    NAN reports that Pillars have three players in the team, which is in the quarterfinals stage. They are: Umar Zango, Abdullahi Shehu and Rabiu Ali, who scored twice in the 4-2 Group A game win against Mozambique.

    “We are proud to say that we have players from Pillars who are contributing positively to the success of the Eagles in South Africa. And I believe that their contributions can help the Eagles to win the trophy,” Yola said.

    The Eagles will lock horns against the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Saturday in one of the four quarterfinal matches of the competition.

  • Pillars striker Ubale hooked

    Pillars striker Ubale hooked

    Kano Pillars striker Manir Ubale will get married on Saturday in Kano.

    Last season, Ubale would be best remembered as the man who came off the subs bench to score a late winner against closest rivals Enyimba in a replayed league match on the way to Pillars retaining the league title.

    Zaria-born Ubale has been hooked by Aisha Hayatu Abubakar and the wedding ceremony will be at Bashir Hayatu Gentile’s residence by Asama’u Street near Juma’at Mosque of Giginyu Quarters in Kano Metropolitan by 11am.

    The ceremony is expected to be graced by top football dignitaries, fans and other well-wishers.

    In a media statement signed by Pillars’ spokesman Idris Malikawa, the club congratulated Ubale and his bride.

    The club therefore called on the fans to come in their numbers to honour the striker on his big match day.

  • UDOJI WARNS PILLARS, OTHERS: Enyimba targets 2013/14 Glo title

    UDOJI WARNS PILLARS, OTHERS: Enyimba targets 2013/14 Glo title

    Captain of Enyimba FC of Aba, Chinedu Udoji has expressed confidence that the 2013/14 Globacom Premier League season will not elude his side after conceding the 2012/13 title to Kano Pillars.

    Udoji, who spoke from Otta in Ogun State where players and officials of the Peoples Elephants are holding a pre-season camping ahead the new league season kick-off, said Enyimba will not disappoint but rather lift the GLO title.

    “We are working hard ahead of the new season because I want to win every available trophy with my team this season.”

    Udoji led Enyimba to the Federation Cup title last season after beating Warri Wolves on penalties at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    Asked on his non inclusion in Stephen Keshi’s South Africa bound Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) squad despite his heroic stint with Enyimba last season, “I feel happy, anything that happens in life that is how God wants it. It will make me work harder for the new season. I wish them luck, mind you most of them are my friends.”

    He further stated that the spirit in the camp is very high.

    “Everybody is fine and ready to go, as we can’t wait to kick start our continental camp against Ange de Notse of Togo,” Udoji echoed.

  • CAF League: Pillars ‘ll get it right — Abba Yola

    CAF League: Pillars ‘ll get it right — Abba Yola

    One of Nigeria’s representatives in next year’s CAF Champions League, Kano Pillars Football Club says it has taken measures to avoid pitfalls it experienced in its continental campaign last season.

    The club chairman, Alhaji Abba Yola revealed in an interview in Abuja that the target of the club is to excel in the continental assignment next season hence their decision to plug all loopholes that contributed to its early exit from the championship last season.

    Yola, who revealed that the team’s technical adviser will be named in the next few days, said the appointed coach will still take a look at those so far recruited for the final list of players that will dorn the club’s colours in the 2013/2014 football season.

    “We have taken new measures to avoid the pitfall of our continental experience last season, we have recruited new players, we will continue on our recruitment drive because when the coach comes he will still have the upper hand to select the best from the team, for now we are not leaving any stone unturned to give the team the best because that is what the team deserves,’’ he said.

    He also revealed that the club is miles ahead of the club licensing requirement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as they have fulfilled what they have been asked to do on the issue.

    “We have already gone far ahead in meeting the CAF club licensing issue because we had a meeting last week with officials of the NFF and they gave us everything (documents) that is required, we don’t have any problem we are ready to comply by the instruction of the NFF as far as the club licensing is concerned that is why I am saying we are at home with the LMC on the club licensing. We are taking it together, both the CAF championship and the LMC, we don’t have any problem with that,” Yola explained.

  • Enyimba will outshine Pillars in Champions League – Uwadiegwu

    Enyimba will outshine Pillars in Champions League – Uwadiegwu

    Enyimba will represent Nigeria better than Kano Pillars in the 2014 CAF Champions league, according to Ugwu Uwadiegwu.

    In October, Pillars edged Enyimba in a tightly-fought title race to win a third Nigeria league championship.

    But Enyimba defender Uwadiegwu has insisted Enyimba are the true champions of Nigeria and they will prove this in next year’s Champions League.

    “Enyimba will give Nigeria a better representation in the Champions League next year than Pillars because we are the true champions,” Uwadiegwu told MTNFootball.com.

    “Pillars are not the best team in Nigeria.”

    Last season,Enyimba thrashed Pillars 4-0 at home, while the reverse fixture was replayed after the first game in Kano was abandoned.

    Pillars won the replay 2-1 in Lokoja, before Enyimba beat them 2-0 in the Charity Cup in Warri in November.

    The experienced left back further told MTNFootball.com he is staying back at Enyimba because they are primed to win a third Champions League title.

    “There were some offers for me to leave but I will stay back because I want to help Enyimba win a third Champions League,” he said.

    For the preliminary round of the CAF Champions in February, Enyimba are drawn against first-ever Togolese champions Ange de Notse, while Pillars face a more daunting test against AS Vita of DR Congo.

  • Udoh hopes Pillars will revive his career

    Udoh hopes Pillars will revive his career

    Former Nigeria Olympic team captain Kingsley Udoh has said he hopes his move to Kano Pillars will revive his career.

    Udoh, who last season struggled for playing time at Heartland, told MTNFootball.com, his switch to champions Pillars can only be a major boost to a once promising career, which was expected to have berthed in Europe after Udoh played a big role for Nigeria to win the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup.

    “I am still shocked at the move. I never expected it considering all I went through last season at Heartland. And now I am with the league champions getting ready for Continental action. I just give God the glory,” he said.

    Udoh, who battled an ankle injury for the better part of 2012, added: “This move would help me relaunch my career both locally and internationally.

    “To play in the league and the CAF Champions League would be wonderful and I wish to help Pillars win both competitions.”

  • Pillars axe 12 players

    Pillars axe 12 players

    Nigeria champions Kano Pillars have axed 12 players ahead of the new season next year.

    Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa said in a statement made available to MTNFootball.com that the club’s board have approved the recommendation that 12 players be placed on transfer, while 23 players are retained.

    However, he refused to name the players dropped. Malikawa also disclosed that a decision on who will replace Mohammed Babaganaru as coach is yet to be taken.

    He said the 15-man board have received and deliberated on the report of the technical committee, who interviewed coaches Kadiri Ikhana and Okey Emordi.

    “At the right time, the club’s new coach will be announced,” Malikawa assured.

  • Enyimba star set for Pillars switch

    Enyimba star set for Pillars switch

    Enyimba FC midfielder Otekpa Eneji is reportedly close to making a switch to Premier League champions Kano Pillars.

    Reports say the former Lobi Stars man has hinted that all is set for him to ditch the “Aba Landlords” in search for regular playing time and the current champions are thought to be favourites to hand him an escape route.

    In a chat with futaa.com, the Benue State-born midfielder said he was disappointed with the way things turned out for him last season with the Federation Cup champions and confirmed he is set to quit the Aba side.

    He said: “It’s just one of those things in football. Last season was not favourable to me, I lost my spot in the team, even when I was ready to play. Maybe the coaches did not think me fit.

    “I started the season well, but don’t know why I was frozen out of the squad. Every footballer wants regular playing time, that’s why I’m on my way out, and I’m hoping that the move will make a way for me because I believe in what I’m made of.”

    Eneji also commended his colleagues for the feat achieved last season, also pointing out that he has lots of respect for the club.

    He declared: “Enyimba FC is one of the best clubs in the country; the records show why they are respected, that’s why I decided to join them from Lobi Stars.

    “But I guess it’s time I moved on to improve my career. Their fans are wonderful, even when I wasn’t playing, they kept on singing my name.”

    Eneji, who made his mark with Lobi Stars, also played for BCC Lions & Ranchers Bees and was selected for the Nigerian national team for the first time in a friendly match against South Korea in August 2010, where he started and bagged 81 minutes of action.