Ibrahim Shuaibu
10 July 2009
Kano — In their ambition to ensure that they join the very exclusive club of past Nigerian winners of the CAF Champions League, which is consisting of just one member as at now - Enyimba FC - first timers in the competition, Kano Pillars are leaving no stone unturned. Part of management get-readiness towards achieving the ambition has been in the last few weeks and days, ensuring that no needs of the players have been left unattended to and that no money issues are still left on the pending basket.
Recently, the club reached 80 percent level in their settling of players' sign-on fees, with a solid promise towards the 20 percent balance. And officials say this has to be done in order to let the playing rank know that management is intent at maintaining transparency and accountability in the affairs of the club.
The chairman of the team's management committee, Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Babangida said the two members of the technical crew contracted by the management, Ghanaian born Malik Jabir and the Borno born tactician Baba Ganaru were paid the 50 percent balance of their sign-on fees in the process, bringing their own level to total (100 percent) completion, as contained in the contractual agreement between the parties involved.
He then added that a total sum of N30m has been expended for recent payments, saying that the remaining balance of 20 percent for the players would be paid at the end of the ongoing CAF champions league, which Kano Pillars is participating in the group stage of and which its contest would resume on July 18.
Babangida also said the management of the team had approved the one-month leave requested by the Ghanaian technical adviser early in order for him to be back to the team on time before the throes of preparation for the final phases of the tournament. He explained that his contract with Pillars is ending at the end of this month but added that the Ghanaian has already submitted an application for the renewal of the contract.
Revealing a little of the club's preparation for the final phases of the competition, he said all the team's registered players for the CAF Champions League resumed training about three weeks ago, pointing out that the Continental Committee is considering embarking on final days to their next match tour to any of the African countries having similar weather with Zambia, whose team, Zesco, would be playing host to Pillars in the next match. But their proposed trip to South Africa was called off due to visa problem. Kano Pillars is drawn in Group A of the final stage of the competition alongside Zesco, Al-Hilal and El- Merichk, both of Sudan.
Babangida urged the players to reciprocate the gesture of the management by putting in their best in all the matches remaining in the competition, so that the team's maximum ambition of winning the trophy could be achieved.
He gave gratitude to the Shekarau-led administration in the state for its financial and moral support to the team assuring that on its part the management will continue to discharge their responsibility in line with the principles of the state's societal re-orientation programme, called 'Adaidaita Sahu'.
Pillars created a major upset when they eliminated six-time champion, Al-Ahly of Egypt in this year's CAF Champions League, and their Ghanaian coach, Malik Jabir has predicted they will cause a bigger shock by winning the competition.
He told cafonline in an interview: "Our target is the ultimate and we believe we are capable. As first timers, it looks impossible, and we will prove our doubters wrong. For the club, it is the first time, but for me, I have been there on many occasions as a coach with Asante Kotoko. I was a member of technical team when Asante Kotoko won their second title in 1983 and was in charge when they lost to Zamalek on penalties ten years later in the final. I hope my great knowledge and experience will be crucial to Kano Pillars.
"Of the clubs in our group, which of them can boast of a player of the caliber of Mohamed Aboutrika of Al-Ahly? My players are inexperienced yet they eliminated the most experienced side in the competition."
Jabir insisted that Pillars' giant-killing feat against Ahly would not work against them.
"All the attention will be on us and we are not perturbed. We will prove to all that our victory over Ahly was no fluke and we are ready to conquer all," he declared. The Pillars coach said his team might not have star players but that they play for one another. "We have no big names in our team. It is a young side that they play as a unit," he disclosed. "One area of concern has been the attack. But I can say we have largely solved the problem now."
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