kano Pillars – Voice of Nigeria https://von.gov.ng | The Authoritative Voice Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:19:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://von.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpeg kano Pillars – Voice of Nigeria https://von.gov.ng 32 32 Federation Cup: Holders Bendel Faces Stormers, Pillars Tackle Rangers https://von.gov.ng/federation-cup-holders-bendel-faces-stormers-pillars-tackle-rangers/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:08:58 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=357952 Last year’s runners-up, Rangers International will go up against Kano Pillars in what is indisputably the pick of the men’s Round of 64 matches at this year’s Federation Cup competition, while Bendel Insurance faces Stormers Sports Club.

At the national draw conducted inside the NFF Secretariat on Thursday, the two former winners were drawn together, with Cup holders Bendel Insurance to face Ogun State flag bearers, Stormers Sports Club.

High-riding Shooting Stars of Ibadan must negotiate for a place in the Round of 32 with Solution FC, while two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC must overpower Warinje FC from Bauchi, a survivor of the National Play-offs.

In the women’s draw, Cup holders Bayelsa Queens are up against Bright Future Queens, while Rivers Angels will tango with Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens tackle Fortress Ladies.

Last year’s runners-up Rivers Angels confront Ekiti Queens, with Delta Queens clashing with Fortress Ladies and Edo Queens to battle it out with Kada Queens.

At the draw, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau assured that the Federation is committed to restoring the glamour and glitz of the oldest football championship in the land, while also pledging that the integrity of the competition will be maintained all through the men’s and women’s competitions till the Grand Finale.

ROUND OF 64: MEN’S DRAW:-

Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Stormers SC (Ogun)

Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) Vs Jr. Danburan (Katsina)

Osun United (Osun) Vs EFCC FC (FCT)

Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Discovery Talent FC (Kebbi)

Zamfara United (Zamfara) Vs ABS FC (Kwara)

Kebbi United (Kebbi) Vs Ine Stars (Edo)

Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) Vs Cynosure FC (Ebonyi)

Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Zamfara United Feeders (Zamfara)

Gombe United (Gombe) Vs Karim United (Taraba)

El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) Vs Adanimogo FC (Ondo)

Lobi Stars (Benue) Vs Delta Marine (Delta)

Shooting Stars (Oyo) Vs Solution FC (Anambra)

Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Green Berets (Kaduna)

Coal City (Enugu) Vs Ekiti United Feeders (Ekiti)

Beyond Limits (Ogun) Vs Hammola Int’l (Osun)

Inter Lagos (Lagos) Vs May Frank (Cross River)

Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs Lautai FC (Jigawa)

Kwara United (Kwara) Vs Rovers FC (Cross River)

Abia Warriors (Abia) Vs Ilaji FC (Oyo)

Sporting Supreme (FCT) Vs PCM FC (Ebonyi)

Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs FC Bako (Kobi)

Sokoto United (Sokoto) Vs Ofirima FC (Rivers)

FC One Rocket (Akwa Ibom) Vs Fr. Eburuaja (Imo)

Enyimba FC (Abia) Vs Warinje FC (Bauchi)

Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Ekiti United (Ekiti)

Sunshine Stars (Ondo) Vs Jedo Academy (Sokoto)

Rivers United (Rivers) Vs Ikukuoma FC (Imo)

Niger Tornadoes (Niger) Vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders (Niger)

Katsina United (Katsina) Vs Dutse Strikers (Jigawa)

Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) Vs FC Basira (Nasarawa)

Doma United (Gombe) Vs Gamji Eaglets (Taraba)

Kano Pillars (Kano) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu)

ROUND OF 32: WOMEN’S DRAW:-

Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa) Vs Bright Future Queens (Enugu)

Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) Vs Suit De Queens (Oyo)

Dannaz Ladies (Lagos) Vs Mighty Jets Mata (Plateau)

Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs OSKE Leans (Rivers)

Abia Angels (Abia) Vs Castmong Ladies (Ogun)

Naija Ratels (FCT) Vs ON Youth Academy (FCT)

Heartland Queens (Imo) Vs GoldenSun FC (Bayelsa)

FC Robo Queens (Lagos) Vs Onima.

]]> NPFL: Shooting Stars Secure Famous Win At Kano Pillars https://von.gov.ng/npfl-shooting-stars-secure-famous-win-at-kano-pillars/ Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:29:22 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=356323 On Match day 29 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Shooting Stars SC (3SC) claimed a famous 2-1 victory against Kano Pillars as Christian Pyagbara’s late goal secured the win for the Oluyole Warriors, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State.

Rabiu Ali opened scoring by giving Kano Pillars the lead, before 3SC’s comeback through second half goals from Taiye Muritala and Pyagbara ensured they claimed the full points.

Despite an early setback of losing centre-back Aniyikaye Adeleye to injury, 3SC got three (3) valuable points in their match day 29 encounter.

For Kano Pillars, it is the second time they would suffer defeat at the Sani Abacha Stadium after Abia Warriors had surprisingly defeated them.

Ogunbote’s men now five points behind league leaders Rangers will face title contenders Lobi Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on Sunday.

Five-time champions Kano Pillars make the trip to Benin City to face Bendel Insurance on same weekend.

 

NPFL/Chidi Nwoke.

]]> NPFL: Enyimba Puts Five Past Kano Pillars https://von.gov.ng/npfl-enyimba-puts-five-past-kano-pillars/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:15:10 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=355402 Enyimba International FC on Wednesday thrashed the visiting Kano Pillars 5-0 on Match Day 28 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State.

The home side opened the scoring through Eze Ekwutoziam in the 14th minute, before Chijioke Mbaoma made the scores 2-0 to Enyimba. Joseph Atule made it 3-0 with a powerful header after a pass from Ekene Awaziem found him in the 44th minute.

In the 69th minute, Atule scored his second to make it 4-0 after dribbling past two defenders and finding the net. Substitute Alade Balogun then put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute following a pass from Chibueze Izuogu to make it 5-0.

In a post-match interview, Enyimba’s coach Finidi George said he wished his team could continue to get that sort of result in their subsequent matches.

“I think the tempo of the match dropped in the second half because of the scoreline, but we picked up in the last part of the match. Generally it was a good outing,” Finidi said.

“I am happy for the victory because it is never easy playing against Kano Pillars.  I think we dominated the game from the beginning to the end. We just have to focus on getting good results away from home.”

Finidi expressed happiness with Atule’s scoring efforts in recent weeks in the league, saying he was beginning to see the Atule the club bought to help in converting scoring chances.

“We are going to meet Lobi Stars in our next match and hope to get a respectable result.  We are out to battle any team to a standstill in he remaining matches of the league,” he said.

With the win, Enyimba are now second on the NPFL table with 48 points from 28 matches, while Kano Pillars remain seventh with 41 points after 28 matches.

Wednesday’s NPFL results

Akwa United 0-1 Doma United

Abia Warriors 1-0 Plateau United

Bayelsa United 1-0 Heartland Owerri

Rangers International 2-0 Sunshine Stars

Enyimba 5-0 Kano Pillars

Sporting Lagos 1-1 Lobi Stars

Bendel Insurance 1-3 Niger Tornadoes

Shooting Stars 2-0 Kwara United.

 

NAN/NPFL/Chidi Nwoke.

 

]]> NPFL: Warriors Beat Pillars At Sani Abacha Stadium https://von.gov.ng/npfl-warriors-beat-pillars-at-sani-abacha-stadium/ Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:32:41 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=347761 On match day 23 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Abia Warriors claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Kano Pillars, in front of a massive crowd at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Kano State.

Abia Warriors midfielder, Daniel Ijeh, scored in the 79th minute with a long range strike to seal the victory for the visitors.

After the goal, Kano Pillars continued to press for an equaliser, but Abia Warriors held its ground until the final whistle.

The victory moved Abia Warriors to 8th on the NPFL table with 33 points after 23 games, while Kano Pillars are in 6th place with 36 points.

”We played against a difficult side with good players and coach, Maikaba. Pillars are no pushovers,” Abia Warriors coach Bethel Orji said after the match, while commending his players for their fighting spirit.

Monday’s NPFL results

Doma United 0-0 Sporting Lagos

Akwa United 3-1 Enyimba FC

Kano Pillars 0-1 Abia Warriors.

]]> NPFL: Remo Stars Finish 2023 As Leaders Despite Loss https://von.gov.ng/npfl-remo-stars-finish-2023-as-leaders-despite-loss/ Fri, 29 Dec 2023 09:15:23 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=323134 Heartland Owerri scored two stunning late goals to record a 3-1 victory against title contenders Remo Stars in Match Day 16 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Imo State.

After a goalless first half, Heartland opened the scoring through a Promise Anyanwu penalty in the 50th minute. Then in the 68th minute, Skiru Alimi equalised for Remo Stars with his 11th goal of the season.

Just when Remo Stars thought they had done enough to share the spoils, Onyekachi Okafor and Chinedu Ike scored two stunning goals, including a contender for goal of the season, to give Kennedy Boboye’s men the win and crucial three points.

In Enugu, Rangers International got the better of Shooting Stars to mark their return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in a grand style with a comfortable 2-0 win.

Visiting Bendel Insurance held Rivers United to a 1-1 draw in Port Harcourt while Kano Pillars came from a goal down to beat Kwara United 2-1.

With the important win, Heartland are now within just a point of safety with after 16 games while Remo Stars, despite the shock defeat, remain top of the NPFL with 29 points from 16 games.

Lobi Stars moved to second place on the table courtesy of a 1-0 victory against Niger Tornadoes, while Doma United are in third with 28 points.

]]> NPFL: Kano Pillars compound Enyimba’s woes https://von.gov.ng/npfl-kano-pillars-compound-enyimbas-woes/ https://von.gov.ng/npfl-kano-pillars-compound-enyimbas-woes/#respond Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:56:08 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=307779 Four-time champions, Kano Pillars compounded the woes of stuttering Enyimba of Aba, with a 1-0 victory in the ongoing 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Match Day 8 fixture, which was watched by a large number of spectators at the Sani Abacha Stadium, saw the home team take advantage of the massive support to dominate most parts of the encounter, but fell short of converting many scoring chances in the process.

Pillars substitute, Abba Adam scored the only goal in the 71st minute. The Sai-Masugida thus moved level on 12 points with Abia Warriors and Bendel Insurance on the log; while the defending champions are 17th with seven points, and two outstanding games.

The visitors made several efforts to equalize thereafter but the brilliant efforts of the Kano Pillars defence line denied them of any goal.

The home team also made frantic efforts to add another goal but could not penetrate the tight defence of Enyimba.

Both coach Abdul Maikaba of Kano Pillars and Enyimba’s coach Finidi George expressed satisfaction with their players’ performance throughout the encounter.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, so we trained hard and it paid off,” Maikaba said at the post-match conference.

He said the victory would boost his team’s morale towards making a great impact in their away game against Shooting Stars.

Also Read:Rangers seek consolidation as Kano Pillars come calling

Finidi George however, described the match as difficult.

“The match has been won and lost no doubt but I don’t understand why the goal we scored was disallowed and the match was streaming live. But we are going back to the drawing board to prepare for the remaining league matches,” he said.

The Enyimba coach also promised to continue working on the team.

]]> https://von.gov.ng/npfl-kano-pillars-compound-enyimbas-woes/feed/ 0 NPFL: Lobi sink Bayelsa Utd, reclaim top spot https://von.gov.ng/npfl-lobi-sink-bayelsa-utd-reclaim-top-spot/ https://von.gov.ng/npfl-lobi-sink-bayelsa-utd-reclaim-top-spot/#respond Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:16:23 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=305701 Lobi Stars football club have displaced Enugu Rangers to reclaim the top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table after recording a 2-1 away win against Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa in the last match-day seven games on Monday.

Samuel Tiza scored both goals for Lobi in either half, opening the scoring in the first half and also scored the winner after Robert Mizo had levelled matters for Bayelsa before halftime.

Mizo’s strike was his sixth of the season, moving him up the goal scorers’ chart but his superb header was not enough for Bayelsa United who are locked at the bottom of the table with just four points after seven games while Lobi have moved up to the top with 14 points from as many games.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, Junior Lokosa and Jonathan Alukwu were on song for Sporting Lagos as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Kano Pillars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Lokosa scored a brace in either side of Alukwu’s goal to give Paul Offor’s side their third win of the season and also move up to sixth in the table with eleven points after seven games.

The former NPFL top scorer, Lokosa, who featured for Kano Pillars in the 2018 season, opened scoring for Sporting against his former side in the 11th minute while Alukwu doubled the advantage with his fourth goal of the season in just four appearances.

The rout was completed on the half-hour mark by Lokosa for his second of the game and third of the season in seven appearances.

Alukwu and Rivio Ayemwenre missed more chances for Sporting in the second half, but they had done enough to seal another win ahead of their trip to Lobi Stars on match-day eight.

Also Read: Despite defeat, Lagos fans celebrate Pillars legend Rabiu Ali

]]> https://von.gov.ng/npfl-lobi-sink-bayelsa-utd-reclaim-top-spot/feed/ 0 Veteran Rabiu Ali stars as Pillars sack Bayelsa United https://von.gov.ng/veteran-rabiu-ali-stars-as-pillars-sack-bayelsa-united/ https://von.gov.ng/veteran-rabiu-ali-stars-as-pillars-sack-bayelsa-united/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:49:33 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=303916  

Veteran Rabiu Ali again showed his mettle as he led Kano Pillars to whip visiting Bayelsa United 3-0 in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match day 6 fixture.

The match which was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar-Mata was watched by a large number of spectators as usual.

The win gave the Kano side their third home victory of the season .

The home side could only break the deadlock in the 30th minute through Mubarak Sani with a long range shot.

The hosts sealed the win with second and third goal through Pillars captain, Rabiu Ali and substitute, Abba Adam in the 50th and 81st minute of the game respectively.

 

Speaking after the match, Pillars coach, Abdul Maikaba, said the determination of the team as a whole to win helped to secure the victory.

“We came back from our journey from our Match Day 5 fixture, where we lost to Rangers,  we went back to the drawing board and worked out better strategies for future games,” the coach said.

Maikaba  said that the team would prepare for their next game against Sporting  Lagos in order to pick the maximum points.

Bayelsa United head coach, Diepreye Tiebowei, said that Kano team took their chances  in the first and second half.

He  commended his team for their efforts in spite of the fatigue.

Tiebowei called for the scrapping of midweek games in the NPFL due to the long hours they spend on travelling for away matches.

Kano Pillars now have nine points from six matches and will play their next game away to  Sporting  Lagos.

 

]]> https://von.gov.ng/veteran-rabiu-ali-stars-as-pillars-sack-bayelsa-united/feed/ 0 Rangers seek consolidation as Kano Pillars come calling https://von.gov.ng/rangers-seek-consolidation-as-kano-pillars-come-calling/ https://von.gov.ng/rangers-seek-consolidation-as-kano-pillars-come-calling/#respond Sat, 28 Oct 2023 13:43:14 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=302380  

Rangers International will seek to make a push for the NPFL top spot with a home win against Kano Pillars in their adopted home of Awka.

The Flying Antelopes ran away with a 1-1 draw against hosts Kwara United in Ilorin and feel the game against  ‘Sai Masu Gida’ is central to their ambitions.

The coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side have seven points from four games and a win would give them ten points.

Coach Ilechukwu has been taking the players through various drills to put them in the best shape to ensure that supporters of the club smile at the end of the encounter against Kano Pillars.

Rangers will be missing the services of midfielders, Naziru Auwalu, Kalu Nweke, and Chinemerem Ugwueze due to injuries and bereavement.

But Ilechukwu is optimistic about the outcome of the encounter even when he would want the performance of his wards on the pitch to speak for him stressing.

“The match is like any other game in the league and we are not attaching anything to it but just up our game get the result we want with luck on our side,” he said.

“We respect every team and don’t look down on any team or manager. We shall work harder than we did in Ilorin with a positive mindset from the bench and those on the field.”

With the return of attacking sensation, Kingsley Maduforo to the match day squad, as well as the breaking into the squad for the Pillars challenge of Chinedu Ibe-Agwu and Wilfred Dieke, the coaching crew, is spoilt for choices just as the usual figures of Kazeem Ogunleye, Ifeanyi Ogba, Ejike Ugochukwu, Joel Odoh, and others will be available to defend the colors of the ‘Flying Antelopes’.

With eleven wins apiece for both gladiators on the pitch and five drawn matches in twenty-seven between 2011 and 2023, with the October 24, 2018, Aiteo Cup win and loss still fresh in the minds of supporters of both teams, fans are assured of a quality display from both teams.

 

 

Source: https://rangersintl.com/

]]> https://von.gov.ng/rangers-seek-consolidation-as-kano-pillars-come-calling/feed/ 0 NPFL: In North-West derby, Pillars pip Katsina 1-0 https://von.gov.ng/npfl-in-north-west-derby-pillars-pip-katsina-1-0/ https://von.gov.ng/npfl-in-north-west-derby-pillars-pip-katsina-1-0/#respond Sun, 08 Oct 2023 11:13:45 +0000 https://von.gov.ng/?p=294876  

Kano Pillars Football Club defeated visiting Katsina United 1-0 in the match day two of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

Pillars shrugged off  their last week away loss to Sunshine of Akure to occupy the driver’s seat in the 27th minutes of the game, when Mustafa Ibrahim found the opponent’s net in front of  their home crowd,  at the Sani Abacha stadium.

Though the visiting Katsina side upped their game and tried to pull an equaliser, their forays were foiled by the back line of the home side.

Speaking during a post match interview, Coach Absu Maikaba, commended his players, whom he said played to instruction.

Maikaba described the outcome of match as rewarding after loosing their away game 1-0.

He said that the win was massive for his young side being the second match of the season.

“My team will continue to improve and work for victory against Abia Warriors on Wednesday,’’ he said.

The Head Coach of Katsina United, Tope Bulus, said his team would go back to the drawing board to return to winning ways.

He also commended his team for the fighting spirit

]]> https://von.gov.ng/npfl-in-north-west-derby-pillars-pip-katsina-1-0/feed/ 0