Abuja — Due to their poor performance in the African Champions League semi-final, Kano Pillars have begun a search to possibly replace Slovenian coach Ivo Sajh, who was suspended on the eve of their second leg match against Heartland on Saturday.

There are strong indications that Pillars would release Sajh after the Champions League run disappointment.

Sajh, whose contract was to run until June 2010, was engaged by the club's special international committee, headed by former Nigeria FA chairman, Ibrahim Galadima.

"The coach remains under suspension as we investigate how true his utterances against the club management and Nigeria were," Tukur Babangida said

"But whatever our final decision, we will still need to hire at least another coach because it has always been one area that we planned to strengthen."

Assistant coach of Nigeria's Under-20 World Cup team, Salisu Yusuf, is a front runner to join Pillars.

Yusuf was assistant to Kadiri Ikhana when Pillars won their first Nigerian Premier League championship two years ago.

Last season, he was head coach of Premier League club Lobi Stars, but was fired after a run of poor results.