Titanic clash in Kano as Pillars host Rangers
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Orkula Shaagee
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Coach of the home side Salisu Yusuf has vowed not to look back in his determined effort to win the second league title for the Kano-based soccer outfit in three years.
The former junior national team assistant coach and Lobi Stars handler told Trustsports on from Kano that the mid-week draw in Abeokuta has propelled his boys and that are ready to go for the crown.
He however admitted that one of the big games ahead of his side is the weekend tie against the Antelopes who have of late found their winning pattern and have notched higher to occupy the third spot on the domestic league table.
Unlike their last outing against Gateway which was like the battle of David and Goliath, today’s encounter is a huge game that could test Pillars’ might and their ability to go all the way and claim the league shield.
Pillars have remained at the summit of the league table for over seven weeks since dislodging previous occupants and close rivals.
But today’s tie could cause a dent on their title ambition if Rangers who are five points adrift of Pillars turn the table against their visitors.
Rangers, who were fourth before the mid-week matches were played, rose to the third spot after overcoming their immediate superiors Kwara United 2-0 at teh Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Wednesday.
But the Coach Alphonsus Dike boys, who are also desirous of having a shot at next year’s CAF Champions League has told his boys to rise up and win all the remaining league matches to be crowned kings at the end of the season.
“Henceforth, we are not going to take any match lightly, the league has got to a critical stage and only those who are serious minded will survive and we are ready for the battle. Having come this far, we will be focused to win all our next home games to be sure of playing in the Champions League next year”, Dike stated.
Similarly, his Kano Pillars counterpart Salisu Yusuf says the club will apart from striving to win all their home games will also work hard to win some away games for them to remain in contention for this year’s league crown.
“We are on top of the league table, but Enyimba who are second have two outstanding matches to play and that means if we slip they will take over. So, what we plan to do is to win some away matches and consolidate with all home wins to be sure of the crown at the end of the league season”, Yusuf stated.
In today’s encounter, Dike will rely on the prowess of Nonso Lalas, Monday Osagie, Kola Ogetunde, Fred Okwara and Brenda Ogbu to ward off attacking forays from Pillars experienced marksmen Solomon Okpako, Gambo Mohammed and midfield jewel Moss Ogaga.
Though Pillars will be without sharp shooter and current highest goals scorer Ahmed Musa due to injury, Coach Salifu will find good replacement in the trio of Mohammed, Okpako and Ogaga.
Theophilus Joel is still doing well in goal and on a good day, he can single-handedly frustrate opponents and win a match for the Kano side.
Another big match of the week is the game between host Kwara United and Zamfara United at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Kwara is enjoying a good season, and were only dislodged from the third to the fourth spot last Wednesday.
In Kaduna, like what happens in England when Manchester United and Manchester City clash or in Italy when Inter Milan and AC Milan trade tackle, the rivalry between Kaduna United and Ranch Bees will come to full glare tomorrow when the two sides clash in one of the matches in the Nigeria Premier League.
Ranch Bees, the older of the two clubs, returned to top flight football this soccer season, having been in limbo for close to a decade.
Other fixtures of the week are Dolphin and Gateway in Port-Harcourt, Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United in Bauchi, Ocean Boys and Heartland in Yenogoa, while Shooting Stars host Sharks of Port-Harcourt in Ibadan.
Tomorrow, Enyimba will play host to Warri Wolves in Aba, while Sunshine tackles Niger Tornadoes in Akure. The fixture will involve Lobi Stars against Gombe United in Makurdi.
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Titanic clash in Kano as Pillars host Rangers
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 2101
This week’s star match is unarguably the one involving Kano Pillars and Rangers International of Enugu at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Kano.Coach of the home side Salisu Yusuf has vowed not to look back in his determined effort to win the second league title for the Kano-based soccer outfit in three years.
The former junior national team assistant coach and Lobi Stars handler told Trustsports on from Kano that the mid-week draw in Abeokuta has propelled his boys and that are ready to go for the crown.
He however admitted that one of the big games ahead of his side is the weekend tie against the Antelopes who have of late found their winning pattern and have notched higher to occupy the third spot on the domestic league table.
Unlike their last outing against Gateway which was like the battle of David and Goliath, today’s encounter is a huge game that could test Pillars’ might and their ability to go all the way and claim the league shield.
Pillars have remained at the summit of the league table for over seven weeks since dislodging previous occupants and close rivals.
But today’s tie could cause a dent on their title ambition if Rangers who are five points adrift of Pillars turn the table against their visitors.
Rangers, who were fourth before the mid-week matches were played, rose to the third spot after overcoming their immediate superiors Kwara United 2-0 at teh Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Wednesday.
But the Coach Alphonsus Dike boys, who are also desirous of having a shot at next year’s CAF Champions League has told his boys to rise up and win all the remaining league matches to be crowned kings at the end of the season.
“Henceforth, we are not going to take any match lightly, the league has got to a critical stage and only those who are serious minded will survive and we are ready for the battle. Having come this far, we will be focused to win all our next home games to be sure of playing in the Champions League next year”, Dike stated.
Similarly, his Kano Pillars counterpart Salisu Yusuf says the club will apart from striving to win all their home games will also work hard to win some away games for them to remain in contention for this year’s league crown.
“We are on top of the league table, but Enyimba who are second have two outstanding matches to play and that means if we slip they will take over. So, what we plan to do is to win some away matches and consolidate with all home wins to be sure of the crown at the end of the league season”, Yusuf stated.
In today’s encounter, Dike will rely on the prowess of Nonso Lalas, Monday Osagie, Kola Ogetunde, Fred Okwara and Brenda Ogbu to ward off attacking forays from Pillars experienced marksmen Solomon Okpako, Gambo Mohammed and midfield jewel Moss Ogaga.
Though Pillars will be without sharp shooter and current highest goals scorer Ahmed Musa due to injury, Coach Salifu will find good replacement in the trio of Mohammed, Okpako and Ogaga.
Theophilus Joel is still doing well in goal and on a good day, he can single-handedly frustrate opponents and win a match for the Kano side.
Another big match of the week is the game between host Kwara United and Zamfara United at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Kwara is enjoying a good season, and were only dislodged from the third to the fourth spot last Wednesday.
In Kaduna, like what happens in England when Manchester United and Manchester City clash or in Italy when Inter Milan and AC Milan trade tackle, the rivalry between Kaduna United and Ranch Bees will come to full glare tomorrow when the two sides clash in one of the matches in the Nigeria Premier League.
Ranch Bees, the older of the two clubs, returned to top flight football this soccer season, having been in limbo for close to a decade.
Other fixtures of the week are Dolphin and Gateway in Port-Harcourt, Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United in Bauchi, Ocean Boys and Heartland in Yenogoa, while Shooting Stars host Sharks of Port-Harcourt in Ibadan.
Tomorrow, Enyimba will play host to Warri Wolves in Aba, while Sunshine tackles Niger Tornadoes in Akure. The fixture will involve Lobi Stars against Gombe United in Makurdi.