Our ‘crazy’ fans always propel us, Pillars’ Rabiu Ali

How did you start your football career?I started right from when I was very small. Like most kids in Nigeria, I started in the streets and continued up to when I went to school. I began playing professional football in Zamfara United from where I moved to Nasarawa United. From Nasarawa United, I joined my […]

How did you start your football career?
I started right from when I was very small. Like most kids in Nigeria, I started in the streets and continued up to when I went to school. I began playing professional football in Zamfara United from where I moved to Nasarawa United. From Nasarawa United, I joined my present club, Kano Pillars.
Your club is having a good run in the league. What would you say has made Pillars FC a formidable side?
We are all dedicated to playing for the club and the management has been most supportive. The government is always prompt in approving our needs and the management in turn ensures that we receive everything that is approved and released for us. Moreover, most of us have been together for a very long time and we have built the required understanding. That is why we play with so much cohesion.
How confident are you that Pillars will retain their league title?
By the special grace of God we are going to retain our trophy. It will be good to prove to everyone that we are the true champions of Nigeria. At the moment, we are on top of the table and going by the support and motivation from the government and management, I don’t think any club will stop us from retaining our trophy.
It was so embarrassing the way Pillars got eliminated from the CAF Champions League. What went wrong?
You know that match was not played in Nigeria and a lot of things went wrong. There was intimidation on and off the pitch. In addition, we got the worst officiating ever. I am telling you the truth, we saw and went through hell in Congo. It was terrible. It was broad day light robbery. We have to thank God that we came back alive. We are telling our story today because we are alive.
Why is it that Pillars win home matches with relative ease but struggle to play away from home?
It’s not that we cannot win away. After all we have the highest number of away wins this season. The truth is that playing at home brings out a different spirit in the players. You have the fans behind you from the beginning to the end and you are motivated to make them happy.
Most people say Kano Pillars fans are volatile and can do anything to ensure you win at home. How true is this?
(Laughs) Our fans are like crazy but they are not what most people take them to be. They are only passionate fans who like winning. The fans propel us when we are playing at home. They always want us to win and are ready to follow us to anywhere. They keep us under pressure and we also try to live up to their expectations.
How much do you guys miss your former team mates like Reuben Gabriel and Papa Idris?
We miss them but we are happy that they have made such progress. If we are not happy, it means we are enemies of progress. We are also hope to get the same opportunity to play abroad. One thing I want people to know is that Pillars is not built around individuals. There is no player in the team that is indispensable.
Do you see yourself leaving Kano Pillars to another Nigerian club side?
I don’t think I will be leaving Pillars very soon and even if I have to leave, I will prefer to go and play in Europe. There is no club like Kano Pillars in Nigeria so I don’t see myself playing for any other club in the country. I am not sure one can get the kind of treatment we receive in Pillars elsewhere. I challenge anyone to prove to me that Pillars is not the best managed club in the country. Even before your call came in, we were discussing this same topic. Most of us are happy playing for Pillars. Any moment from now, our governor will release to us the cars he promised us for winning the league title.
Is it the gift of cars that is making you to say Pillars is the best club in Nigeria?
No!,no!!, it is not just about the cars but I am talking about general motivation. I am enjoying my stay in Pillars. But come to think of it, how many governors can do what our governor is about doing for us? The gift of cars will surely motivate us to retain the league title and go on to do well in the continent next season.
Don’t you think you and your team mates will get distracted, if given the cars now that you should be concentrating on winning the league title back to back?
No, I don’t think so. We are all adults and as professionals we know how to conduct ourselves. Rather than distract us, the reward will ginger us up because it is possible that we would get even bigger reward, if we retain the title and win other trophies.
So far you have played 16 matches, which of them will you say has been the toughest?
Without doubt, our most difficult match this season is the one against Heartland which we eventually won 1-0 in Abuja. Anytime we play against Heartland, it is always very difficult because they know us very well. Consequently, they come out fully prepared.
You have scored seven goals so far. Which of the goals gives you the greatest satisfaction?
The goal I scored against Heartland in Abuja is my best for now. The goal means a lot for me and the entire team. I dedicated it to God and my team mates. Without them I wouldn’t have scored the goal.
Where do you get the inspiration to score goals?
I am always inspired by my team mates and God. I have scored 7 goals this season and I am hoping to score more. I believe that if I continue to play without injury, I will surely score more goals. If I can score up to 20 goals, I will be very happy. But my priority is to help Pillars retain the league title.
Which of the matches would you say is the best for Pillars this season?
It is our home game against Kaduna United. It was a kind of difficult match but we gave our best and won convincingly. I personally admired the way we played on that day.
Most of your team mates like Umar Zango, Manir Ubale, and Gambo Mohammed have been invited to be part of the national team but you are yet get the same chance. Are you not worried?
Invitation to the Super Eagles is not what I am going to lobby for. It is something that comes naturally. There is time for everything. When my time comes, I will be grateful to serve my fatherland. Moreover, Coach Stephen Keshi has proved in words and deeds that he is watching each and every one of us in the league. He is giving all the good players the opportunity to represent this country. I know that my time will come some day and I will grab it with two hands.
the one against Heartland which we eventually won 1-0 in Abuja. Anytime we play against Heartland, it is always very difficult because they know us very well. Consequently, they come out fully prepared.
You have scored seven goals so far. Which of the goals gives you the greatest satisfaction?
The goal I scored against Heartland in Abuja is my best for now. The goal means a lot for me and the entire team. I dedicated it to God and my team mates. Without them I wouldn’t have scored the goal.
Where do you get the inspiration to score goals?
I am always inspired by my team mates and God. I have scored 7 goals this season and I am hoping to score more. I believe that if I continue to play without injury, I will surely score more goals. If I can score up to 20 goals, I will be very happy. But my priority is to help Pillars retain the league title.
Which of the matches would you say is the best for Pillars this season?
It is our home game against Kaduna United. It was a kind of difficult match but we gave our best and won convincingly. I personally admired the way we played on that day.
Most of your team mates like Umar Zango, Manir Ubale, and Gambo Mohammed have been invited to be part of the national team but you are yet get the same chance. Are you not worried?
Invitation to the Super Eagles is not what I am going to lobby for. It is something that comes naturally. There is time for everything. When my time comes, I will be grateful to serve my fatherland. Moreover, Coach Stephen Keshi has proved in words and deeds that he is watching each and every one of us in the league. He is giving all the good players the opportunity to represent this country. I know that my time will come some day and I will grab it with two hands.