Kano Pillars striker, Gambo Mohammed, yesterday expressed disappointment that he would be missing in action at the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Super 4 competition holding in Kano. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kano Pillars, Rangers of Enugu, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Heartland of Owerri, will slug it out in the pre-season tournament.

The competition will hold between Jan. 9 and Jan. 13 in Kano. Mohammed, who sustained an ankle injury during a goalless pre-season encounter against El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, told NAN on telephone that he would be missing in the competition.

"I'm disappointed in the fact that I will be missing out in the Super 4 pre-season competition due to an injury I sustained in a friendly when we played El Kanemi. "I have been looking forward to this competition but injury has ruled me out. I hope to be back soon because it is only ruling me out for a week," he said. Mohammed, who scored 15 goals in the 2011/2012 league season's campaign, expressed confidence that he could replicate his goal-scoring in the coming season.

He, however, said his team could win the Super 4 in spite of his absence, as well as defend their league crown when the season kicks off on Feb. 16. "I believe I can repeat the goal scoring form of last season in the coming season because I have been training hard and have made some improvement. "Pillars can win the Super 4 even without me playing because the team plays collectively and I'm confident we can also retain the league title," he said. Meanwhile, the league draws for the 2012/2013 season is scheduled to hold on Saturday in Kano, with the Super 4 ending on Sunday