Buoyant Pillars ready to crush Antelopes

Pillars will play host to the league leaders from Enugu today at the Sani Abacha Stadium and would be playing to revenge the 1-3 defeat they suffered in the hands of the visitors in the first stanza of the league. The encounter was originally scheduled for yesterday but Pillars requested for a shift to today […]

Pillars will play host to the league leaders from Enugu today at the Sani Abacha Stadium and would be playing to revenge the 1-3 defeat they suffered in the hands of the visitors in the first stanza of the league.

The encounter was originally scheduled for yesterday but Pillars requested for a shift to today following their long trip to Aba where they drew 2-2 with former champions, Enyimba FC.

This is going to be the 20th meeting between both sides and Rangers have proved to be the better side by winning nine out of the nineteen but have always struggled in Kano.

Pillars mid-fielder Mohammed Shehu Shagari is confident the present spirit in Pillars camp would give them victory over Rangers.

He said Pillars would treat Rangers would utmost respect because the club from the South-east is currently topping the league and deserve to be respected.

The junior international however said the respect would not extend to the three points at stake as he expressed confidence that Pillars would take their own pound of flesh from Rangers.

He maintained that the match is going to be very tough but in the end, his team would carry the day because there is enough motivation for everybody in Pillars.

“We are going to treat Rangers with the required respect. They are on top of the league and deserve to be respected.

“But they won’t stop us from winning. Our target is to move to 40 points and we can only achieve this if we win this important game. They defeated us 3-1 in the first round and it is our turn to give them back the bitter pill to swallow” he said.

While Pillars would be banking on their leading goal scorer Gambo Mohammed, sleeky mid-fielder Rabiu Ali and burly striker Manir Ubale for the goals, Rangers will look up to Chikeluba Ofoedu and Alhaji Gero to leave the ancient city of Kano with a good result.