By Isyaku Ibrahim
Historically, right from the time of defunct Spartans of Owerri up to the period of Iwuanyawu Nationale,teams from Kano found it pretty difficult to defeat their opponents from the above mentioned Eastern part of the country
But fortunately as time goes , the obstacle being faced is now becoming a bygone
A classical example was what happened Sunday afternoon at the empty Sani Abacha Stadium as home side Pillars playing with ten men thrashed visitors Heartland by two goals to one despite the one man disadvantage
The host opened scoring two minutes on assumption of play through Suleiman Idris alias Manu who with the development , had scored three goals in a row beginning from the tie against Plateau United
Skipper of the side Rabiu Ali Pele popularly called Sarki by his admirers, increased the tally via a penalty kick to make it two
The visitors reduced the margin through a well taken free kick some minutes to the end of the game
Pillars who now have thirty two points, have blossomed their chances of earning at least a continental ticket if not lifting the trophy as nothing is impossible in soccer
While on the other hand their opponents from Owerri Heartland have to wake up from slumber if they are to escape from finding themselves in the murky waters of relegation for the second time In a row having succeeded in returning to the elite class just last season with pillars
While speaking in a post match interview the club’s Technical Adviser Christian Obi, enjoined Pillars to educate their fans on the need to always embrace whatever happened in the field of play in good faith
Turning to the outcome of the tie he explained that said it was not surprising as match involving the two sides usually turned out to be hectic
The Tactician maintained that they would go back to the drawing board with a view to strategizing how best they would survive the relegation battle
Also responding to questions Coach Abubakar Senior of Kano Pillars who said that they felt the absence of their fans during the match, disabused the minds of those saying they always banked on their supporters to win home matches emphasizing that regardless of the fact they ginger them but with them or otherwise nothing will stop them from winning games
He enjoined them on the need to be calmed patient and composed while watching their darling club especially when the result is not coming
On the return fixture in Owerri he said they would do their utmost aimed at grabbing the maximum points thanking his boys for their effort
