The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pillars

  • Lawrence rues Pillars’ CCL exit

    Lawrence rues Pillars’ CCL exit

    Kano Pillars goalkeeper, John Lawrence, has rued their exit from the CAF Champions League after they failed to overturn the 4-0 loss they suffered at the hands of Moghreb Tetouan.

    The Moroccans had beaten the Nigerian champions  4-0 in the first leg three weeks ago in Tetouan, with Pillars needing to at least secure a 4-0 scoreline of their own to at least drag the game into extra time and possibly penalties.

    But the Moroccans had other ideas, as they went in front at the Sani Abacha Stadium, leaving Pillars with the impossible task of scoring six goals.

    And even though they eventually won the game 2-1, it was far from being enough, with the Nigerian champions yet again failing to make the Champions League group stages.

    And Lawrence, who was in goal for Pillars on Saturday, described their exit as unfortunate.

    “It’s quite unfortunate to be honest. Overturning the deficit was a huge task on its own and then we conceded in the first half, which made it even more difficult,” he said.

    “It is quite unfortunate that we are out because we wanted to make the group stage at the very least but now we have to wait till next year which is painful. I really wish we didn’t lose by 4-0 in the first leg, maybe we would have gotten the result we needed on Saturday,” he added.

  • ‘Pillars lost ACL race in Morocco’

    ‘Pillars lost ACL race in Morocco’

    Kano Pillars forward, Abdul Haruna has said his side lost the CAF Champions League race in Morocco in the 0-4 loss to the Moroccan champions, Moghreb Athletic de Tetouan.

    The Nigerian champions won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Saturday but exited from Africa’s elite club competition on 2-5 aggregate to the Moroccan side.

    Haruna said his side knew that it would be an uphill task to cancel the first fixture disadvantage.

    “We lost the battle right there in Morocco with a huge unreplied four-goal deficit heading into the second leg clash. We knew it won’t be easy to score five goals in the second leg but we still gave the game our very best.

    “We played very well, created chances at goal but unfortunately the chances were not converted into goals. There was pressure on us to almost immediately cancel the goals but in football it does not come that easy.

    “I think we’ve learnt one or two lessons. If we’re ever in the same boat again we’ll profit immensely from our mistakes. We’ll focus all our attention on winning the league title once again as well as the Federation Cup.

    “Of course, we can’t get tired winning the league shield as that is the certain route to the continent. I know we’ve disappointed our supporters and Nigerians but we can’t stop trying until we get it right one day.

    “Nobody is happy with our ouster from the CAF Champions League at this stage of the competition, we can’t continue to dwell on it. We have to gather ourselves and forge ahead,” said the former Heartland marksman to supersport.com.

    The Pyramid City’s side best effort in the CAF Champions League competition had been the 2009 semi-finals performance as they have failed to go beyond this second round in the last three attempts.

  • Pillars ready to give everything

    Pillars ready to give everything

    Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars will face a tough task to cancel a first leg CAF Champions League 4-0 deficit when they face Moroccan club side Moghreb Tetouan on Saturday April 4 at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano.

    The Nigerian champions have struggled to replicate their outstanding performances in the Nigerian League on the continent and that has left Kano Pillars try on two previous occasions back-to-back without reaching the group stage of the competition. Though a stellar performance in 2009 saw them make a last four appearance – but since then Kano Pillars have struggled.

    It looked even tougher at this stage after Kano Pillars conceded four goals away in Morocco, to have any hope of advancing Kano Pillars must score five goals without conceding at all. The media manager of the northern based team, Idris Malikawa spoke to SL10.ng about their current state and how they hope to advance to the next stage.

    “We’ve done everything right from our own part and we hope God will help us get the result that will favour us,” Malikawa told SL10.ng.

    “We’ve been in closed camping since we got back and everyone in the team is united, focused and determined that to make a difference on Saturday. It looked tough in the human eye but it’s a different situation with God, we hope that the almighty God will give us the result that will see us through,” said Malikawa

    After the heavy defeat in Morocco there were excuses raised as regards the weather condition and it looked the like the Nigerian champions are ready to make the most of the opportunities around them.

    “The match has been scheduled for 14:00 on Saturday April 4 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. We are based here and choose the best time we prefer. The spirit in camp is very high, the boys are good to go but we put all our effort in the hands of God,” Malikawa repeated.

  • Pillars host Tetounane on Saturday

    Pillars host Tetounane on Saturday

    Nigeria’s  flagbearers in continental competitions return to action this weekend, with elite division champions Kano Pillars staring down the barrel of a huge task at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

    They host Moroccan side, Moghreb Athletic Tetouane with a whole four goals deficit from the first leg at the Stade Saniat Rmel on March 21.

    Chairman of Pillars’ Champions League Campaign Committee, Ibrahim Galadima has expressed confidence that the Nigerian champions will overcome the huge setback and sail into the next round.

    Nigeria’s other CAF Champions League representatives, Enyimba FC will depart the country on Friday, for their return leg clash with Smouha FC of Egypt, scheduled for Sunday. They will travel aboard Egypt Air from Lagos.

    A letter from the Egyptian Football Association has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the match will be played at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt’s second city, starting from 5pm Egypt time. Enyimba won the first leg in Aba by a lone goal.

    The country’s only remaining face in the CAF Confederation Cup, Warri Wolves will also travel on Friday, to play Dedebit of Ethiopia on Sunday. The Warri-based side won the first leg 2-0.

  • Ogbonnaya: Pillars will whip Moghreb Tétouan

    Ogbonnaya: Pillars will whip Moghreb Tétouan

    Kano Pillars have set up preparation for  the return leg of the CAF Champions League First Round contest with Moghreb Tétouan of Morocco fixed for Kano on Saturday striving to overcome a 4-0 deficit.

    Sai Masu Gida has fixed the match kick off time at 2pm local time as the home team wants to make use of the humid weather to their advantage just like the Moroccans did almost two weeks ago.

    Pillars’ defender Reuben Ogbonnaya told SportingLife that he is very confident that Sai Masu Gida will spring a surprise comeback on Saturday as they have been training seriously since their return from Morocco.

    He alleged that Moghreb Tétouan made use of the cold weather to get a big win in the first leg and that they also capitalised on their eagerness to get away goal to hit them on the counter attack for most of their goals scored in the first half.

    Ogbonnaya told SportingLife that they have learnt their lessons and that the players are united in their resolve to turn the table in Kano on Saturday.

    “We have been in camp since we returned from Morocco and we have been working on our mistakes especially in defence. We believe that nothing is impossible and it is the reason we have resolved to turn the table at home. The game will start by 2pm and we are going to utilise our home advantage too to get a revenge ,” Ogbonnaya.

    He however urged Kano fans to troop to the stadium in numbers on Saturday so that the spectators can serve as the 12th men on match day.

  • ‘Pillars won’t disappoint at Tetouan’

    ‘Pillars won’t disappoint at Tetouan’

    Kano Pillars midfielder, Azeez Shobowale has said his side will be 100% ready in a week’s time to confront Moroccan side, Moghreb Athletic de Tetouan (MAT).

    Confederation of African Football, CAF granted the Nigerian campaigners a week’s grace to face the North African side in the second round, first leg clash of the CAF Champions League competition.

    The first leg encounter was billed for March 14 but for the armed robbery attack on Pillars on the outskirts of Abuja, on their way to Owerri to honour the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 1 clash at Heartland.

    Shobowale said his side are gradually overcoming the shock of the attack to give the Moroccan the toughest match of their lives.

    “We’re getting over the rude shock of the armed robbery attack and the one week grace will do us a lot of good to stabilise us for the tough challenge in Morocco.

    “We don’t know much about our opponents but as professionals ours is to go there and play. On the field of play it’ll be strictly 11 players on each side, so we’re not entertaining any fear.

    “I know we’re equal to the task to get a decent result with the quality of players in our midst with or without the full complement of the injured players. We owe them a convincing victory in Morocco as that will go a long way to quicken their recovery as well as return to the pitch.

    “We’ll fight hard to ensure we don’t disappoint our injured players and Nigerians,” said the former Dolphins star to supersport.com.

    The encounter will now hold in the weekend of March 20, 21 and 22 at the 10,000-seater Saniat Rmel, Tetouan, Morocco.

  • Malakia arrive in Kano for Pillars clash

    Malakia arrive in Kano for Pillars clash

    Malakia FC of South Sudan have arrived in Kano ahead of Saturday’s 2015 CAF Champions League qualifying second leg game against reigning Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Kano Pillars.

    The minnows, who lost the first leg tie two-nil at home, will be seeking to prove stubborn and cause an upset at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

    A 27-man delegation arrived at the Centre of Commerce on Wednesday and reports suggests that the visitors trained Thursday at the match venue.

    According to SL10 sources in Kano, a top official of Malakia concedes that his team faces a mammoth task in overcoming Pillars in the CAF Champions League encounter on Saturday.

    The scoreline favours the Nigerians based on their away goals, but the South Sudanese team are determined to defy the odds and return from home with a victory.

    Speaking to sl10.ng ahead of the match, the official said their only worry was themselves.

    “This is going to be the toughest game we have played in our history. We missed the opportunity to win the first leg match at home and now we have a big mountain to climb in their backyard.

    “However, this is no time to moan but rather look forward to the battle ahead. We don’t have to worry about them but about ourselves.

    “We are ready for the challenges that await us. We are physically and mentally prepared,” he added.

    Malakia travelled to Kano with the full complements of their squad with no injury reported as at Press time.

  • Pillars to bench Al-Malakia

    Pillars to bench Al-Malakia

    Kano Pillars head coach, Okey Emordi has said his side will not defend against South Sudan champions, Al-Malakia in the CAF Champions League first round reverse clash on Saturday in Kano.

    The Nigerian champions defeated Al-Malakia 2-0 in the first fixture clash in Juba, South Sudan.

    Emordi said his side will go for outright and convincing victory to prove to all that their first fixture victory in Juba was not a fluke.

    “We’re going to engage the South Sudanese side, Al-Malakia in 90 minutes attacking football. Of course, it’ll be stupid on our part to defend the two goal advantage from the first leg in Juba, South Sudan.

    “I understand that the best form of defence is attack so we’re going all out to attack aimed at achieving even better result than we did in the first leg.

    “If we win with as many as four, five unreplied goals it’s sure to send a warning signal to other would be opponents. I won’t do anything to underrate the side on the field of play as it could be costly as well as risky.

    “We’re going for improved performance, at least, to give our teeming supporters who are yet to see us play at home this term something to cheer as well as prove to doubters that our win in Juba wasn’t a fluke,” said the former Enugu Rangers coach to supersport.com.

    Emordi, however, disclosed that two of his key players, Azeez Shobowale and Shehu Shagari will miss the crucial clash due to injury.

    “Azeez Shobowale and Shehu Shagari picked injury in training and won’t be available for the clash against Al-Malakia on Saturday. We’ll be able to cope without the duo as others are in perfect shape to give their very best in the match,” said the former Enyimba coach.

    The aggregate winners of the clash will advance to the next stage of Africa’s most lucrative club competition.

  • Pillars deserved win over Ghana U-23s, says Loute

    Pillars deserved win over Ghana U-23s, says Loute

    Kano Pillars left-back Isaac Loute has told AfricanFootball.com  his side worked hard to beat the Ghana U-23 team in a friendly on Saturday in Accra.

    Saturday’s clash was Pillars second in Ghana as they prepare for a CAF Champions League game against Malaika of South Sudan. The Nigeria champions drew the first test match 2-2 with Hearts of Oak.

    “It was a tough game as expected, we thank God for giving us the victory because we put in our very best to win the game and thank God our effort was crowned with the victory. We are so happy with the victory because we deserved it,” Loute told AfricanFootball.com.

    Mercurial midfielder Rabiu Ali scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after a Ghanaian defender handled a goal-bound shot from Christian Obiozor.

    The coach Okey Emordi-led team will face Malaika in South Sudan on February 13.

     

  • Pillars tackle Ghana U-23s today

    Nigeria league champions Kano Pillars will confront Ghana U23 national team today in  continuation of their preparation for the CAF Champions League.

    Pillars left back Isaac Loute told AfricanFootball.com the team will try to correct the mistakes, which caused them to surrender a 2-0 lead against Hearts of Oak on Thursday.

    “We played our best against Hearts of Oak but we ended with a draw, that is football.We took the lead and we kept working hard but they came back to equalize,” Loute said.

    “Our next game will be against the Ghana U23 national team on Saturday (today). We will do our best to see that we correct whatever mistakes we made against Hearts of Oak and win the game.  We are not happy not win after leading 2-0.”

    Pillars are in Ghana with a squad of 23 players as they prepare to play in CAF Champions League preliminary game against Malaika FC of South Sudan later this month.