The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pillars

  • LMC studying Pillars/Enyimba match report

    LMC studying Pillars/Enyimba match report

    • To make pronouncement on Sunshine/ 3SC soon

    The League Management Company(LMC) has confirmed the receipt of the match report of the disputed Glo Premier League Matchday 31 tie between Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC of Aba and will soon make a pronouncement on it.

    There have been conflicting reports in the media regarding the real outcome of the league tie with some reporting that it ended 1-0 in favour of Pillars while some including the Enyimba camp are saying the game was inconclusive.

    LMC Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salisu Abubakar told SportingLife that the league body would not make a hasty pronouncement on the match until the report of the match officials detailed for the tie is properly studied.

    “I can confirm that we have received the match report of the Kano Pillars and Enyimba league tie. I cannot make any comment on it now but the LMC will make a statement in the coming days,” Abubakar said.

    Meanwhile, the LMC has heard from top officials of Sunshine Stars, 3SC and the match officials on their role in the botched league match played at the Akure Township Stadium after a meeting with them at Abuja yesterday.

    LMC COO, Salisu Abubakar informed SportingLife that the league body has listened to all the parties involved in the Matchday 30 tie and that a decision would be made soon on the botched game.

  • Enyimba test Pillars championship quest

    Enyimba test Pillars championship quest

    It will be a clash of title hopefuls when Kano Pillars host closest rivals, Enyimba in continuation of the Nigeria league on Wednesday.

    Champions Pillars lead the 20-team table on 51 points from 30 matches, two points ahead of Enyimba.

    Enyimba thrashed Pillars 3-0 in the first round of the campaign,so Pillars will be seeking revenge.

    Both teams have dominated at home but struggled on the road.

    Pillars have won two away matches and drawn one, while Enyimba have recorded a win on the road and drew five matches outside their fortress of Aba.

    Enyimba coach Imama Amapakabo told MTNFootball.com that they are in Kano to get a result that will alter the league standings.

    “We are in Kano for the game, we know it will be tough, but we are prepared for a big game and hopeful of getting the result that will change the face of the league table,” Amapakabo stated.

    Enyimba will be missing one of the league hotshots Bishop Onyeudo, as he was not listed for this high-profile encounter.

    Kano Pillars goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, told MTNFootball.com they want all the three points at stake.

    “All we are playing for in the game is the three points, we are ready for the game because we know how important it is to our aspiration,” the former Olympic team shot stopper said.

    “We know we lost the first leg 3-0, but we are not thinking of getting a wide-margin victory, we are just focused on getting three points that’s all, but if we got many goals, to God be the glory.”

    Pillars will be without midfielder Obi Eugene, who bagged a red card in the team’s last match at Nasarawa United.

    However, the team’s other top performers, Rabiu Ali and Shehu Abdullahi, will again be called upon to call the shots in the engine room.

    Umar Zango has yet to recover from a knee injury and in his place, youngster, Adamu Murtala, has sparkled playing alongside the bulky Ado Ali.

  • Pillars back on top after win

    Pillars back on top after win

    kano Pillars shot back to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table on Saturday, as they defeated Enugu Rangers 2-1 at the Pillars stadium.

    Rabiu Ali was the hero for the Pyramid Boys as he struck twice in six minutes with goals in the 14th and 20th minutes.

    Chinedu Udeagha had equalised for Rangers just a minute after the first Rabiu Ali goal, to silence the jubilating Pillars supporters.

    In Port Harcourt, Enyimba held Dolphins to a goalless draw, while El Kanemi battled to 1-0 victory over Kaduna United in Maiduguri.

    The victory in Kano means that now Pillars go top with 48 points, El Kanemi are in second position with 47, Enyimba slipped to third with 46, while Bayelsa United are fourth with 46 points but with a lower goals difference.

  • Okobi promises fair officiating at Lokoja

    Okobi promises fair officiating at Lokoja

    •Edo ref gets Pillars praise at Owerri

    Centre referee Sylvester Okobi from Edo State has promised to uphold the tenets of the law of the game to the letter as he takes charge of NNL Group A final game at Lokoja between Kogi United and Spotlight of Katsina.

    Okobi got the plaudits of Kano Pillars’ players and officials when he handled the tie involving Heartland and Pillars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium,Owerri on Wednesday.

    Despite the pyramid side losing by two unreplied goals, Pillars were grateful that the centre referee allowed them to enjoy their game against the norm in some away matches where the away teams are stifled from playing their normal game.

    Okobi explained to SportingLife that his honesty and dedication to his work has made him to excel in his chosen profession and that in Lokoja today the situation won’t be different from the past games he has handled as soon as he enters the pitch to officiate.

    Kogi United need a big win against Spotlight and will pray other results get in their favour if they want to remain in the lower division next season. The Governor Idris Wada side are last on the table with 31 points from 27 games while Spotlight are safe from relegation with 38 points from same number of matches.

  • Heartland pocket N1.3m after Pillars win

    Heartland pocket N1.3m after Pillars win

    • Thank Governor, others for support
    • Deputy Governor showers players 600k
    • Club Chairman splashes 750k

    Heartland of Owerri got three points at home against Kano Pillars and thereafter pocketed one million and three hundred and fifty thousand naira(NI,0350,000) donated to them by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere and club’s Chairman, Fan Ndubuoke.

    It was all smiles and exchange of banters in Owerri the Imo State capital as Heartland who have been submerged in series of defeats, rose to the occassion to hammer their opponents 2-0 at the Dan Anyiam stadium on Wednesday.

    The Naze Millionaires who were a spot from the relegation zone before the match knew they needed a win to steer clear of the drop zone and quickly settled down to business when they got the first goal in the second minute through Happy Okuoka.

    The Owerri side kept on the momentum and it paid of when they got the second goal in the 85th minute through Bright Ejike.

    The Nazi Millionaires who have become the subject of bashing in recent times, following what most of their fans dubbed their inability to re- discover their winning spirit, thanked top government officials who had made time from their busy schedules to grace the match and cheer the side to victory.

    “Big thanks to everyone, the Deputy Governor and his entourage for coming to cheer the team to victory against league leaders; Kano Pillars” the club happily posted on twitter soon after the final whistle .

    After three home defeats to Nembe City, Enyimba and Kwara United, the 2012 Federation Cup champions were eager to avoid further home defeats and the fans turned out in large numbers to ensure they offer the needed support.

    Wednesday’s result did not only come as a relief but is considered as a push for the Owerri landlords.

    Prior to the tie, Heartland forward Abdul Haruna had predicted that the side will throw all the arsenals in their armory to avoid another defeat. “We can’t afford to lose any other home game for the remainder of the season .Our position on the log is not encouraging,” he said.

  • Pillars regain top spot

    Pillars regain top spot

    Two-time African champions, Enyimba have relinquished their table-topping position in the Globacom Premier League to Kano Pillars after a 0-1 loss to Kwara United on Saturday.

    The People’s Elephant have now dropped out of the top-three completely and could fall further down should El-Kanemi Warriors, Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers win their matches this Sunday.

    Kwara United secured all points in one of the big clashes of Saturday through the goal of centre-half Okechukwu Odita to end Enyimba’s short reign at the summit of the Glo League standings.

    Kwara United are now third on the standings on 44 points after Saturday’s matches.

    At the Pantami Stadium, Kadiri Ikhana got off his time at Nasarawa United to a losing start as Gombe United won by two goals.

    Bilyaminu Aliyu opened score for Gombe United in the 22nd minute off the assist of attacking winger Asuquo Inyang.

    And five minutes into the restart, Habibu Inusa doubled Gombe United’s lead from Timothy Simon’s cross to kill the game as a contest.

    Gombe United climb into the sixth position on 40 points while Nasarawa United remain stuck in the bottom four.

    ABS also stay in the bottom four after a 0-2 loss at Bayelsa United. Late goals from substitutes Adamu Mohammed and Obinna Njoku pushed the Bayelsa club into second place.

    For the umpteenth time, Kano Pillars are back on top of the Glo log and with an outstanding match to play on the chasing pack.

    But the Nigerian champions were made to work hard for the full points by Sharks until Super Eagles forward Gambo Mohammed popped up to finish Adamu Murtala’s assist with 17 minutes to time.

    Kano Pillars now lead the Glo table on 45 points with a superior goal difference over second-placed Bayelsa United.

  • We were determined to beat Pillars — Amoo

    We were determined to beat Pillars — Amoo

    • Ex-Eagles’ coach happy with return of injured players

    Sunshine Stars’ head coach, Fatai Folorunsho Amoo has given reasons why the Akure Gunners conquered Kano Pillars in their last home game.

    Pillars were the league leaders before that game and were desperate to hold on to their numero uno spot before they were pegged 2-1 by Sunshine at the Akure Township Stadium last Sunday.

    Amoo enthused that his boys were determined to grab all the points at stake and this motivated them to come all out to play against the league’s defending champions.

    The one-time 3SC’s head coach, however, said that with the renewed spirit in the team and the recovery of his injured players, the fans, supporters and other football lovers will start getting the best out of his lads.

    “We won because we were determined to win. We showed from the start that we were the more hungry side and my players were in their true element. The loss in Katsina Ala was very hurting and we needed to be at our best to come back strongly. I am happy that some of my injured players featured against Kano Pillars and are raring to go again,”Amoo said.

    Two goals from Christian Omeruo, the elder brother of Super Eagles talisman, Kenneth Omeruo put Sunshine ahead in the 21st and 36th minutes before Shehu Adamu’s low strike hit the target for Pillars in the 69th minute.

    Sunshine are 8th on the log with 37 points from 26 games and they visit Wikki Tourists in Bauchi this weekend.

  • Malikawa: Sunshine fans harassed Pillars’ players

    Malikawa: Sunshine fans harassed Pillars’ players

    Kano Pillars’ media officer Idris Malikawa has expressed dismay over Sunshine Stars’ supporters’ behaviour to their players after yesterday’s Globacom Premier League match at the Akure Township Stadium.

    Malikawa alleged that some Sunshine Stars supporters harassed their players during Pillars’ 2-1 loss to the Ondo team on Sunday.

    The club’s spokesman also queried why the Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko was on the Sunshine technical bench during the match.

    He stressed that Idoko’s presence on the bench — him being a member of the League Management Committee (LMC) — intimidated the match officials.

    Malikawa, however, commended center referee Ferdinand Udoh for his unbiased officiating.

    “It was a good match and referee Udoh did a good job today (yesterday). He was the hero of the match because he stopped all Sunshine Stars’ tactics to frustrate us. The referee even sent a ball-boy out of the stadium for his unprofessional behaviour.

    “We lost the match and we are not complaining about that but I was shocked to see Sunshine Stars fans coming towards our players inside the pitch after the match. The match had been played and we lost, so why the harassment?” Malikawa queried.

    He continued: “Again, we are asking the rationale behind Mike Idoko sitting on the bench during the match. First, he is not a member of the technical crew. Again, he is a member of the LMC.

    “We believe as a member of the organisers of the league his presence on the bench will serve as intimidation to the match officials. We want LMC to address this issue if they want a good image for our football which everybody is trying to build.”

     

  • 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.

  • 2012 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE WIN: Pillars get car gifts Tuesday

    2012 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE WIN: Pillars get car gifts Tuesday

    Palpable excitement has engulfed the camp of Kano Pillars following news that Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is now ready to host the team for winning the Glo Nigeria Premier League title last season.

    The state’s number one citizen had promised to handsomely reward members of the squad with car gifts after they emerged as champions of the 2012 season, but has not been able to host the team due to his busy schedule.

    All the delay will however become a thing of the past soon as the governor is now understood to be planning a lavish reception on Tuesday for players and officials of the squad, as well as all the sports men and women who did the state proud in various sporting events.

    Chairman of the club, Abba Yola, confirmed to SportingLife that the news of the governor’s reception came just when the players needed extra motivation to combat the team’s poor away record.

    The club’s boss expressed gratitude to the governor for living up to his promises despite the fact that club had always been well funded under his tenure.

    “ Everybody in the team is happy that the governor has finally decided to host the team in spite of his busy schedule,” Yola said on phone from Kano.

    Although he didn’t disclose the venue of the reception for security reasons, the Pillars chairman hoped that the players would reciprocate the governor’s gesture by ensuring the successful defense of their League title.

    “The governor has been the number one supporter of Pillars. The club has enjoyed tremendous financial support since he mounted the saddle and we have told the players that they cannot afford to disappoint him,” Yola told SportingLife

    He also expressed worry about the team’s dismal away record this season pointing out that the players have promised to make amends starting with Sunday’s potentially crunch game against Sunshine Stars in Akure.

    “We had a meeting with the players and coaches where we spoke to ourselves like brothers on the need for the team to improve on our present away form.

    “It has become imperative for us to secure more points on the road, because our title rivals are gradually closing in on us and we can’t afford to rest on our oars at this crucial stage of the season,” he concluded.