NPFL: Remo Stars boost squad with Junior Lokosa

 

Former Nigeria Premier Football League poster boy, Junior Lokosa on Friday completed his signing to Remo Stars ahead of the kickoff of the second stanza of 2022/23 season. 

 

A delighted Lokosa who will wear the colours of the Sky Blue Stars of Ikenne, says his top priority is to bang in goals for the club.

 "It's good to be back to the NPFL, Remo Stars is a new challenge for me, as the club has stamped itself as one of the top teams in the NPFL, and with great ambition. 

"Having qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup at the end of last season, there is a drive in the club to win trophies and also be among the top Nigerian team that features regular in the continent.

“I will be happy, to contribute my quota towards making the team finish the second part of the season among the top three teams in group B and as well pick a Super 6 playoff ticket.

" I was the top scorer of the NPFL, and I hope to score goals for Remo Stars, as that is my job as a striker."

Lokosa played for First Bank FC before moving to Kano Pillars in May 2017.

At the end of his second season with Pillars, he bagged the Eunisell Boot Award after his 19 goals placed him top of the NPFL top scorers chart, earning him N3.8 million (N200,000 for each goal).

After trials in China, he joined Espérance Sportive de Tunis in 2019, won the CAF Champions League and from there to Simba FC of Tanzania.

Check out profile of fast rising Yusuf Abdullah Muhammed

 

Although, not many will be familiar with his name, but Yusuf Abdullah Muhammed is one of the next rated football stars that will take Nigerian football by storm. 

Born on 25th of May, 1998, Muhammed has learned basic football skills from different football cultures. 

They are:

2015/2016 Abuja Football College 

2017 Busaspor U21

2018 Bursaspor 

2019 Kano Pillars 

2020 Wikki Tourists 

2021 Wikki Tourists.

The 23 year old can operate as a defender and can also function well as a defensive midfielder.

His ball winning, holding and distribution is top notch. He's a also a team player that always strife to win games for his club. 

NPFL22: Ayeleso pens emotional goodbye message to Pillars as he completes move to Plateau United

In the moments of a serious exodus of players at the former champions of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Kano Pillars ahead of the new season, one of the club's important players, Suraj Ayeleso has also joined the train as he complete a two year deal with Plateau United. 

Ayeleso, the former ABS FC and Kwara United goalkeeper spent two seasons with the Pyramid Boys when he joined them from Nasarawa United in 2019. 

Ayeleso won 2019 Aiteo Cup trophy with the 'Sai Masu Gida' side when his heroics between the sticks during the shootouts helped Pillars to beat Niger Tornadoes in the final.

He who took to his social media page (Facebook) on Thursday to announce his departure thanked the management and fans of Kano Pillars for the love, support and opportunity to be part of the club history. 

He confirmed that Pillars will forever remain in his heart as he's hoping to make another history with the Tin City side.

"Dear Kano Pillars fans,

Today I say goodbye to a magnificent club as it is Kano Pillars. I want to thank the club for helping me become a better footballer and for making me feel at home during my time here.

"About two years ago Kano Pillars, a club that will remain in my heart, gave me the amazing opportunity to play for one of the most respected football club in Nigeria and Africa at large. And for me winning the Aiteo Cup and playing on the continent in two years is a dream come through for me.

"After this year I can only say thank you to the club, the management and to the fans that have supported me since the first day I wore the Sai Maisugida jersey and of course thank you and good luck to my team-mates, who helped me settle in since day one not only as a teammates but as friends.

"Today I say goodbye to Kano Pillars but I take with me many memories, lessons and great moments that will live with me forever. It has been one of the best years of my football career.

"At last I want to wish Kano Pillars many success for the future and thank the club for giving me the opportunity to play for this great club. Its time to move on for another challenge and I hope to make more positive history with Plateau United.

"Thank you with all my heart," he said. 

The Kwara born goal tender will be working with Fidelis Ilechukwu who has just been appointed as the new Technical Adviser of Plateau United following the departure of Coach Abdu Maikaba after the just concluded NPFL season. 

Kano Pillars finished 5th on the log last season while Plateau United ended 9th.

NPFL Transfer Update: Rangers block Salisu's home return to Kano Pillars

 

Management of seven-time Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C under the headship of Prince Davidson Owumi, has sounded it loud and clear to all football stakeholders that the contract between it and its technical adviser, coach Salisu Yusuf, subsists.

Against the backdrop of reports making the round for the past two weeks that the coach has signed a deal with top league side, Kano Pillars F.C, the management after meeting with the gaffer at the corporate headquarters of the club, Thursday, came up with the stand.

G.M/CEO of Rangers International F.C said, after the meeting that had a representative of the commissioner for Youth and Sports, Enugu state, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe and some stakeholders of the club, “Coach Salisu Yusuf is a professional and a big one at that, hence due process needs to be taken in everything relating to the terms of the contract we have with him. We are saying that all the terms of the contract we have with coach Salisu Yusuf have to be fully respected.”

Coach Salisu had earlier during the meeting informed the meeting that pressure from his home state of Kano where the government and traditional institutions were on his neck to come and lead the ‘Sai Masu Gida’ side may not allow him to honor his contract with a side he loves with a great passion, Rangers International F.C.

Recall that Rangers’ old and new players are expected back in the coal city on September 17, 2021, to kick start pre-season activities for the fast approaching 2021/2022 football season.

Madaki ends six years marriage with Kano Pillars, team up with Plateau United

 

After a six-year career with Kano Pillars, Chris Madaki has ended his association with the Kano side.

The left-back, who joined the team from Giwa FC has played over 100 games for Pillars and feels it is now time for a fresh challenge with Plateau United as his favourite destination.

Madaki, a former U23 international, who is now in Jos holidaying feels he has given Pillars his all and wants a fresh challenge in the league.

“I enjoyed my time with Pillars and I want to thank them for the chance to play for a famous side like theirs,” he told Andrew Randa.

“The journey had ups and downs but I want to believe it was a success. I won titles and got recognition at Pillars and for that I am grateful.

“After spending six years in Kano, I felt it was high time I try other things and that is the reason why I elected to leave. It was a good journey but I want a new chapter in my career,” he added.

With the new Nigeria Professional Football League season approaching, Madaki said he’s got a few offers from clubs in Nigeria but is keen on joining home town club Plateau United.

“It is true I have had contact with a few clubs who are interested in my services and I am studying the details but I am interested in playing for Plateau United for personal reasons., the defender revealed.

“Being a Jos boy, I have been away for some while and so I want to come back and have a feel of my fans at home here just like I did in Kano.

“Jos is a wonderful place to play football and I want to delight my supporters here and also help my hometown team win laurels. For me, that has been one of my dreams.

“I have won titles elsewhere and I want to do it at home with Plateau United. It is one of the things I have always wanted to do in my career. We are currently discussing with Plateau United and hopefully, things will go on fine and I will join them.”Madaki enthused.

NBPL: Excitement as Reformer edge Gboko City Chiefs

... Kano Pillars Cages Nigerian Army 79-40

It was joyous mood as the much-awaited Nigeria Men's Basketball Premier league,  finally kick-off in a grand style in both the Atlantic and Savannah conferences on Wednesday. 

The Savannah conference began in Abuja with the Reformer beating Gboko City Chiefs 74 - 63 in the first game of the game 

The games holding at the  Package B of the MKO Abuja stadium saw a lot of excitement. 

Basketball stakeholders who thronged the Stadium to watch the matches expressed excitement on  the return of the basketball league in the country. The bemoaned the state of the League which  had been in comatose for years as a result of court injunction that was recently trashed into dust-bin.

The games in Abuja though, suffered a little hiccups following the broken fiber glass attached to the rim inside the Indoor Sports Hall, but was rectified with the speedy  intervention of the Chairman Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF Engr Musa Kida who ensured immediate repairs and commencement of the games .

In the first match, Reformer start the game on winning note defeating Gboko City Chiefs of Benue 74 - 63. 

Kano Pillars in the second game tamed the Nigerian Army 79- 40 in the second game.

Nigeria Basketball Premier League dunks off with fun fare

Finally, Nigeria’s men basketball league come alive once more after years of  comatose. 

The  Nigeria Basketball Premier league, is commencing in a grand style at the Nigeria capital city Abuja and the state of Sunshine, Akure in Ondo state today 8 September 2021. 

It could be recalled that a court case stopped the league over the years, but the February 2021 judgment quashed all the cases, a verdict many adjudged to be a victory for basketball in the country.

In the first game at the Savannah Conference, to be played at Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, the Gombe Bull will lock horns with Defenders by 10: 00 am.

Nigeria Customs will play Benue Braves by 12:45noon. 

 Gboko City Chiefs will tackle Reformers by 2:45pm while the final game of the day will be between Nigerian Army and Kano Pillars by 4:45 pm. 

Also, 11 teams from the Atlantic conference which include Rivers Hoopers, Kwara Falcons, Raptors, Police Baton, Ondo Raiders, Islanders, Coal City, Impressions, CAMAC, Invaders and Lagos Warriors will slug it out at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Akure Township stadium.

Addressing Journalists in a media parley  in Abuja, the Chairman Caretaker Committee of the NBBF Engr. Musa Kida, said all things are in place to have a better 2021 Nigeria Basketball Premier League.

According to him, all hands are on deck to commence the Basketball Premier League in both the Atlantic and Savannah conferences. 

“The Secretariat is responsible for dispatching letters to the various clubs and that is the reason why the League is starting in Abuja.”

Abubakar Bala: The Sin Qua Non

When the sun sets, it simultaneously rises anew, afresh the very next day, this time around, when the sun of KWARA UNITED rises, it does in person of Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed, one of the Nigeria new generation football Coach from Chanchaga, Niger State.

Lokosa strikes late to deny Rangers full points

Players of seven time Nigerian league champions, Rangers International F.C could not make their dominance and much improved performance count in a match day 10 encounter against four time champions of the league, Kano Pillars, that struck a late equalizer to the disappointment of the expectant hordes of spectators.

Rivers United outclass Kano Pillars

Bakary Bamba and Guy Kuemian scored either side of half time to inspire Rivers United to a richly-deserved 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.

NRA frowns at Referees' treatment in NPFL season opener

The attention of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, has been drawn to unpalatable incidents trailing the kick off of the NPFL. 

NBBF invites 20 for Commonwealth Games preparation

20 players have been invited by the Nigeria Basketball Federation for the first phase of camping ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

NPFL INVITATIONAL: FALEYE's STRIKE ELIMINATES ENYIMBA

Enyimba exited the 2017 NPFL Invitational following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the CHAN Eagles on Friday in Kano.

Kano Pillars humble Akwa United to claim Ahlan Cup Tournament

 

By Wale Mustapha

Rabiu Ali scored twice as Kano Pillars brushed aside Akwa United 3-0 to emerged champions of maiden Ahlan Cup Preseason Soccer Tournament on Sunday.

Ahlan Cup: Akwa United books final place with late win over Elkanemi Warriors

By Wale Mustapha

2017 Aiteo Cup champions, Akwa United on Saturday defeated Elkanemi Warriors 2-1 to set a final place meeting against Kano Pillars in the maiden Ahlan Cup Preseason tournament.

#AhlanCup17: Kano Pillars ease past Katsina United to book final ticket

Kano Pillars humbled Katsina United 4-1 on Friday in Kano to qualify for the final of maiden Ahlan Cup Preseason Tournament.

Kano Pillars back in Gold Cup Pre-season

Former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions, Kano Pillars Football Club will compete in the fifth edition of Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament. 

Babangida scores Kano Pillars low

The management of former Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champions, Kano Pillars football club has described the performance of its club in the just concluded 2016/2017 season as not impressive.

Kwese Premier Basketball League #KwesePBL Fixtures (Week 3):

Kwese Premier Basketball League #KwesePBL Fixtures (Week 3)

Osho sure of NPFL status

Technical Adviser of Remo Stars Football Club, Osho Fatai has expressed disappointment with his lads over the draw with Kano Pillars in the MatchDay 11 of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).