Pillars build new dynasty

Pillars, Enugu Rangers as well as Lobi Stars were involved in a three-horse race in 2012 and the title race was heading for the wires until the 2006 champions pulled out of the league. Based on the rules governing the league, points were deducted and Pillars had an advantage over the duo on the last […]

Pillars, Enugu Rangers as well as Lobi Stars were involved in a three-horse race in 2012 and the title race was heading for the wires until the 2006 champions pulled out of the league.
Based on the rules governing the league, points were deducted and Pillars had an advantage over the duo on the last day.
All that is history now as the Kano aristocrats finished in style despite losing 0-2 at Lobi Stars to win their third league title.
Sunday’s feat remains special as Pillars entered the history books as the first team to win back-to-back titles since the legendary Enyimba emerged as a power house by the dawn of the new millennium.
Enyimba annexed their first title in the defunct PEPSI Super Four, in 2001 and retained it in 2002.
The Elephants achieved a hat-trick in 2003.
Since 2003, no team has been able to record back-to-back success until the Pillars’ feat.
Truth be told. The feat didn’t come easy as Pillars had to play three crucial matches against Heartland (in Abuja) as well as Enyimba and Dolphins (in Lokoja) away from their Sani Abacha Stadium fortress.
Interestingly, the club won the three matches to confirm their readiness for a historic feat.
However, the Enyimba camp still believe that there was no need for a replay of their match day 31 clash.
The champions may have secured important points on the road at Wikki Tourists, ABS, Dolphins and Sharks, but the gaffer, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, believes the title was won after the 1-0 victory over Enyimba at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium.
“It was a difficult match. We knew the title was ours after the Lokoja encounter.
“I was confident that victory was possible even when it was only a few minutes to the end of that match,” Ganaru told SuperSport.com.
At a time the referee was set to end proceedings in Lokoja, super sub, Manir Ubale, rose above the Enyimba defence to head beyond the reach of the impressive Femi Thomas and restored the club’s advantage at the top of the log.
Ganaru attributed the supremacy of Pillars in the league to continuity.
“We have players who have been here for close to seven years. Pillars is a team in a class of its own,” the gaffer stated.
Indeed, several players have since remained rooted in the Pillars dynasty.
Club captain, Theophilus Afelokhai arrived Pillars in 2005 and was in goal when the club won its first title in 2008.
Afelokhai is a rare one-club man who has spent all his career in the top flight with the Kano side after learning the trade at defunct Kano side, Buffalo, in the lower ranks.
The presence of others like club top scorer, Rabiu Ali “Pele”, Gambo Mohammed, Nasiru Ali, Eugene Obi, Musa Mustapha, Shehu Shagari and Umar Zango validate Ganaru’s statement about continuity in the team.
Add homeboy, Bello Musa Kofarmata, who returned to his first love after two years in the wilderness at Heartland, then you’ll understand why the importance of continuity cannot be over-emphasized.
Based on the way the club is managed, it’s arguably Nigeria’s best club.
The Kano aristocrats boost of excellent leadership, rising young stars, some of the best players in the country, the largest fan base as well as a full house during home matches and a dynamic style of playing football.
But if you take a trip to Aba and ask the Enyimba faithfuls, they will tell you Pillars need to make a statement in Africa.
Despite their early exit from the 2013 CAF Champions League, Pillars can still brag about something in Africa.
Back in 2009, the club reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
Against all odds, Pillars shocked perennial winners, Al-Ahly National, to reach the group stage of Africa’s biggest club competition.
A feat the supporters “ the Green and Yellow Army “ still cherish.
It is believed that most clubs can sustain success for about three or four years; at that point, a change is usually needed. But it appears as though the Kano side is going to throw that myth out of the window.
In the words of Afelokhai: “There is no team like Kano Pillars in Nigeria. You can never hear that players of Kano Pillars are on strike for whatever reason.
“We want to win every competition.”
The Kano Pillars era has come, and you can be assured that there will be trophies.
With the best fans base in the league, only similar to that of Greek sides, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, the players are assured of more support from their “Green and Yellow Army.”
Fans can admire the past and enjoy what was done, but now it is time to keep an eye on the future, because the next golden age is already upon us.
Culled from supersport.com