The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pillars

  • Pillars go on break

    Pillars go on break

    Players and the technical crew of Kano Pillars FC have embarked on a one week break.

    The club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa said the break is to give Christians in the team an opportunity to celebrate christmas with their families.

    While wishing the players a successful celebration, the management of the club urged them to avoid doing anything that is contrary to the teaching of their religion during the festive period.

    He also urged the players to ensure that they resume on the stipulated date, stressing that any player that fails to abide by the directive would have himself to blame for any action taken.

    “After this break we are not going for New Year holiday considering that the kick off date of 2016/2017 NPFL is very close and we are not ready to take any chances,” Malikawa said.

  • Pillars primed to return to the summit of NPFL, says Gyang

    Pillars primed to return to the summit of NPFL, says Gyang

    Flying winger Amos Gyang believes Kano Pillars can return to the top of Nigerian football if they put what happened last season behind them.
    The former Giwa FC ace said he has always known Pillars to be an ambitious club and the current personnel have it all in their hands to make a lasting impression when the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season gets underway on January 15, 2017.
    “Kano Pillars remains a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria. But we weren’t in the top three last term,” Gyang told Goal.
    “We know these things happen in football that one season you can win the league and the other you can be relegated.
    “There are two trophies to play for this season and hopefully, either the league title or Federation Cup will come to Kano Pillars.”

  • Pillars snap up Nazifi Yahya

    Pillars snap up Nazifi Yahya

    Kano Pillars have announced they have signed Golden Eaglets star striker, Nazifi Yahya.

    “We have signed Nazifi as part of our effort to encourage young players,” disclosed Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa.

    “He has already been impressive in training, he scored three goals in  training.”

    Nazifi is from the Eaglets Class of 2016, who failed to qualify for next year’s U-17 AFCON in Madagascar.

    In the meantime, Kano Pillars have debunked reports that striker Adamu Muhammad has rejoined Gombe United.

    Malikawa said Adamu Muhammad remains a player of Kano Pillars.

    “I was surprised when some media organisations reported that Adamu has returned to Gombe United, but even this evening (Thursday), he was with us at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano during our training,” he said.

  • Pillars have learnt a lot of lessons, says Rabiu Ali

    Pillars have learnt a lot of lessons, says Rabiu Ali

    Rabiu Ali is optimistic that Kano Pillars can do a clean sweep of available trophies next season.

    “Last season is gone and we learnt a whole lot. Though I won’t admit that 2016 was a disappointing season for us because we  competed well but we lost concentration at the crucial stage of the season where we needed to pull through,” Ali told Goal.

    “However, lessons have been learnt and antidote has been offered. An experienced coach in Kadiri Ikhana is in charge and a couple of signings have been done. The team is looking good and preseason activities is going on fine.”

    Kano Pillars finished seventh on the NPFL 2015/16 season table, nine points adrift champions, Enugu Rangers.

  • Pillars will rule Africa soon, Ikhana Boasts

    Pillars will rule Africa soon, Ikhana Boasts

    The new Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars Football club, Kadiri Ikhana yesterday boasted that the former premier league champions will have no excuse than to return to its winning streak with a view to conquering the continent in the next season.

    Kadiri, who was unveiled yesterday in Kano, said: “If you get third or fourth position for Pillars in the league, it is nothing, because records have been set, except you win the CAF champions league or Confederation Cup.

    “The most difficult team to coach this coming season is Kano Pillars, this is not the time for me to lose, next year I will be 70 years, I started well in my football coaching career and I will want to end well.”

    He, however, solicited for prayers from Kano Pillars fans and stakeholders, and urged to be patient as he takes control of the Sai Masu Gida.

    According to him, “I have no option than to work monotonously to invoke smiles on the faces of Kano soccer fans.”

    The chairman Kano Pillars football club, Tukur Babangida in the company of board members and Kano football stakeholders, while unveiling the coach, noted that the choice of Kadiri Ikhana was prompt by the account of Ikhana’s experience.

    Tukur further disclosed that the club settled for Kadiri Ikhana owing to his vast knowledge of the game, discipline, and knowledge of Kano terrain.

    Further disclosing that, over 20 football coaches from within and outside the shores of Nigeria indicated the interest to land the coaching job, Babangida noted that Ikhana’s experience and deep knowledge of football politics handed him the job, Tukur stated.

    He added that, Kadiri was conversant with the Kano terrain, coupled with his ability to communicate in Hausa language forms part of the advantages that ensure Ikhana’s recruitment as Kano Pillars technical boss.

  • Pillars, Gombe target coach Amapakabo

    Pillars, Gombe target coach Amapakabo

    Four-time Nigeria champions Kano Pillars and newly promoted Gombe United set their sights on Rangers championship-winning coach Imama Amapakabo.

    Pillars chairman Kabiru Baita has made Imama top target after Mohammed Babaganaru quit his post this past season.

    Baita was personally in Abuja  on Monday to discuss with Imama, who featured for Pillars in his playing days.

    “The Pillars met with Imama at the Eagles Bolton White Hotel in Abuja and there was a discussion,” a source disclosed.

    Heavily funded Pillars finished this past season in seventh place and are under pressure to be champions next term.

    Gombe United have also contacted Imama, but it appears their offer is not attractive as his handlers may wish.

  • Pillars to share £800,000 from Musa’s transfer

    Pillars to share £800,000 from Musa’s transfer

    It can exclusively be reported that Nigeria league club Kano Pillars will share in about £800,000 training compensation from the recent transfer of Musa to Premier League champions Leicester City.

    “Pillars are due part of the training compensation from the sale of Musa to Leicester City,” an official said.

    Musa, 23, featured for Pillars for a season – the 2009/10 season – and set a new all-time goals record of 18.

    He was on loan from JUTH FC of Jos.

    The other beneficiaries from this pay-out are Ahmed Musa’s former clubs Russian champions CSKA Moscow and Dutch club VVV Venlo.

    However, the Nigeria star’s first league JUTH FC will not enjoy this payment as they are defunct.

    Leicester City bought Musa from Russian army club CSKA for a record-shattering fee of about £18 million.

    The Nigeria international has so far made four appearances in the Premier League.

  • Pillars to miss Gambo Mohammed, two others

    Pillars to miss Gambo Mohammed, two others

    • Hospitalised coach Baleria too

    Kano Pillars will be without talismanic  forward, Gambo Mohammed, two other players and the club’s chief coach, Kabiru Baleria when they tackle El Kanemi Warriors today in a rescheduled NPFL Match Day 36 tie.

    Gambo suffered a knock in Sai Masu Gida’s 1-4 loss to Ikorodu United over a week ago and has been ruled out of the tie with the Borno Army as he only resumed training early this week.

    Pillars head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru informed SportingLife that Gambo’s situation is being monitored and that hopefully by weekend he should be fully fit to face Heartland in Owerri if he receives the nod of the medical team to do so.

    Babaganaru, however, added that Bala Mohammed and Murtala Ibrahim won’t be available for selection neither today nor the weekend tie in Owerri because they are currently down with malaria fever.

    He also confirmed that Pillars’ chief coach, Kabiru Baleria won’t be in the dugout for the tie with El Kanemi Warriors too today because the ex-international turned coach was hospitalised on Monday evening  but that he is getting better.

    Babaganaru told SportingLife that Pillars won’t be deterred from picking the three points against El Kanemi Warriors despite the number of absentees and that the remaining players and members of the technical crew have enough experience and materials to cope with the current development.

  • Pillars will return to winning ways – Aggrey

    Pillars will return to winning ways – Aggrey

    Prince Aggrey is confident that four time Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars will get over its poor form on the road as from their next match.

    Pillars currently sit ninth on the log, eight points behind leaders, Rivers United but conceding eight goals on the road and scoring only one goal in their last two matches on the road has become a major worry for a club that won the NPFL trophy thrice in a row.

    Aggrey expressed concern over the poor results recorded lately but he remained optimistic that an antidote will be gotten before they head into their week 36 fixture.

    “It does happen to every team, that time results just doesn’t come your way but we aren’t bothered because we shall get over it soon,” Aggrey told Goal.

    “We are professionals and know how to find a proper solution to this kind of problem.

    “We have a sound technical crew who can handle any situation and we shall get back to winning ways soon.”

    Pillars will host El-Kanemi Warriors, before visiting Owerri to face Heartland FC and Niger Tornadoes on the final day.

    “All we need to do is to focus through the last set of matches.

    “We shall be at home to El-kanemi Warriors and we shall travel to Owerri before playing our last home match this season against Niger Tornadoes; on our day we can complete a hundred per cent win in a row but it’s still possible despite our current form,” he added.

    “We have to keep our home record excellent and at least force Heartland FC to share the spoils.

    “I think with that we should finish well.”

  • Pillars’ Baita targets win over Ikorodu Utd

    Pillars’ Baita targets win over Ikorodu Utd

    Kano Pillars chairman Alhaja Kabiru Baita has expressed confidence that the four-time Nigerian champions will pick a win on Match Day 35 against Ikorodu United at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta today.

    Ikorodu United come into the fixture high on confidence after picking up their first away win of the season against Heartland, but Baita isn’t bothered by their opponent’s form.

    “The team is motivated, the management have done its part and the team have also promised to out smiles on the faces of the fans,” Baita told Goal.

    “The target is clear, we are aiming for the maximum points.The joyful news this morning of a bouncing baby girl to our defender, Jonathan Zikiye will no doubt be an extra boost to a very confident team.

    “A win will be a perfect gift to Zikiye.Ikorodu United won on the road last week but that will only motivate our team to show them our superiority.”

    Kano Pillars are seventh on the NPFL table with 48 points, while Ikorodu United are rock bottom.