Kano Pillars gear up for for Caf tie
by Ibitoye Shittu 28 February 2013, 18:55
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Kano Pillars will leave the country on Thursday to honour the return leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary fixture against Central African Republic club, Olympique de Bangui.
The first encounter saw the Sai Masugida vanquish Olympique de Bangui 5-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kofarmata, Kano on February 16.
The result, however, puts pressure on Olympique de Bangui as they would have to score four unreplied goals for them to have any chance of progressing to the next round this Sunday.
Kano Pillars' gaffer, Baba Ganaru, is not perturbed with the duel as he disclosed to supersport.com that his wards are capable of completing the rout on their opponents in their backyard.
“They were very lucky when they came to Nigeria, because we would have scored up to 10 goals and my boys are now ready to beat them in front of their fans.
“We have prepared well for the match, and I know it will be tough as our foes would also want to qualify, but by God's grace, we would qualify for the next round,” Ganaru explained to supersport.com.
Meanwhile, the return of Super Eagles' midfielder, Gabriel Reuben would have boosted the morale of the Sai Masugida boys, but the former Enyimba man was overlooked by Ganaru as he was not listed among the Kano Pillars' contingent.
Reuben, 22, who was part of the Nigerian squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa will now have to wait should Kano Pillars go through before he would have the chance to play in this year's Caf Champions League.
Midfielder Abdullahi Shehu will also not be part of the Sai Masugida squad as he is currently in Tunisia with Nigeria's Under-20 team, Flying Eagles.
Kano Pillars will return to Nigeria on Monday, March 4.
