Kano Pillars are the new undisputed heavyweight champions of club football in Nigeria.They recently won the Nigerian Premier League title after seeing off a late resurgence from Enyimba of Aba. This latest league triumph makes it three in a row for the team from the North, and they are dominating Nigerian football in the sane manner that Enyimba did some years ago under the sports-loving and football-crazy former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.

What are Kano Pillars’ secrets of success? A player for Wikki Tourist FC of Bauchi, Festus Umana, spoke with News Express and offered reasons why Kano Pillars are having a stranglehold on Nigerian domestic football.

He said: “One of the reasons why Pillars have a solid squad is because they have a well-blended team. They don’t easily sack players. There are some players who have spent five-six years there. The players have a fantastic understanding of each other. They don’t drop too many players at the end of a season. They don’t buy too many either. They make just a couple of signings.”

Another reason why Pillars have been such a strong force, according to Umana, is that, unlike many other sides in the league, they don’t throw their camp open for screening sessions during pre-season.

“Pillars identify their players before the season begins and invite them. Their new players come to camp strictly based on invitation,” Umana said, suggesting that that shows that Pillars management and coaching staff are well-organised and know exactly the players that they need to execute the league before it commences.

Kano Pillars usually enjoy massive crowd support during their league games and Umana cites this as another crucial factor behind the success of the side.

“Pillars fans love their team so much,” he observed. “They have one of the most vociferous set of fans in the league. This motivates their players to always give their best.”

Umana has been in fantastic form himself this season for another northern outfit, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, who have recently gained promotion from the first division to the Premier League.

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