, nice move by Garba Lawal,dats d dream of a whole lot of players all around d world.just imagine top players like Yakubu,Kanu and d likes,ending their careers in d Nig. League

Kano Pillars defeat Al-Hilal
by Given Singuluma


Nigeria's Kano Pillars triumphed in the top-of-the-table clash in Group A of the Champions League after defeating Al-Hilal 2-1 on Sunday.

The home side staged a great fightback after going down to an early goal at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The Sudanese shocked the home fans when Saif Idris Farah put the visitors in the lead in the 20th minute.

Pillars rallied and drew level on the stroke of half-time thanks to a strike by Gambo Mohammed.

Striker Moses Ogaga completed the remarkable turnaround for Pillars in the 73rd minute to send the home fans into ecstasy.

The win took Pillars level on seven points with Hilal but the Sudanese still top the table on head-to-head record.

Zesco United blew away their chance of closing in on the leaders after they were held to a 0-0 by Al-Merreikh on Sunday.

The Zambians were three points adrift of Al Hilal and were hoping for a win to catch up on the Sudanese.

But they found Hilal's compatriots in good form as the home side struggled to penetrate the defence of the visitors.

Zesco's unimpressive display leaves them third on five points while Merreikh stay at the bottom with two points.

Meanwhile, TP Mazembe secured a crucial 2-0 away win over Monomotapa of Zimbabwe in Group B of the Champions League on Saturday.

The DR Congo side quickly served notice of their intent with captain Dioko Kaluyituka forcing the goalkeeper into two fine saves in the opening five minutes in Harare.

But he was not to be denied in the 10th minute when he fired from the edge of the box to put Mazembe in the lead.

They wrapped up the win late in injury time when substitute Given Singuluma struck.

The Zambia international scored on the break when Monomotapa were going all out for an equaliser.

The victory keeps Mazembe at the top of the group with nine points after four matches.

Elsewhere, Nigeria's Heartland kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi final after holding Etoile du Sahel to a 0-0 draw in Tunisia on Saturday.

The home side had numerous scoring chances but they were unable to convert them.

The Nigerian defence needed to be resolute late in the second half to keep Etoile at bay.

This means Heartland are second on the table with seven points while Etoile stay third on four points.

Monomotapa are bottom of the group with three points with two matches to go in the group.

GROUP A

P W D L GF GA Pts
Al Hilal 4 2 1 1 4 2 7
Kano Pillars 4 2 1 1 6 5 7
Zesco United 4 1 2 1 4 4 5
Al Merreikh 4 0 2 2 3 6 2

11-13 Sept: Al Hilal v Al Merreikh
11-13 Sept: Kano Pillars v Zesco United

18-20 Sept: Zesco United v Al Hilal
18-20 Sept: Al Merreikh v Kano Pillars

GROUP B

P W D L GF GA Pts
TP Mazembe 4 3 0 1 10 2 9
Heartland 4 2 1 1 6 3 7
Etoile du Sahel 4 1 1 2 3 6 4
Monomotapa 4 1 0 3 3 11 3

11-13 Sept: Heartland v TP Mazembe
11-13 Sept: Etoile du Sahel v Monomotapa

18-20 Sept: Monomotapa v Heartland
18-20 Sept: TP Mazembe v Etoile du Sahel

, great job by both Kano Pillars n Heartland fc. am beginning 2feel both teams can make it2 d semis,but there is definately not going2 be an all 9ja final,because they will have2 go head2head in d semis.but not minding,d 2teams are doing what they have2 do n dat is "keepin their hopes alive",am really proud of them.

.yes peeps,just 4 days to d D-day(Nigeria vs Tunisia) n hy just cant wait.Honestly,hy dont kno about u,but hy gat dis funny feelin'.hmmm,'so help us God'

a draw by both bof them in their next match could mean that they might both play different teams in the semis and possibly meet in the final

What an Incredible weekend! hy just saw a player give away two own goals to Italy,France and Portugal drew their matches, and hy cant wait 4 tight fixtures like Nigeria vs Tunisia,Argentina vs Brazil

What an Incredible weekend! hy just saw a player give away two own goals to Italy,France and Portugal drew their matches, and hy cant wait 4 tight fixtures like Nigeria vs Tunisia,Argentina vs Brazil

"no need watchin dis match"she said,hy ignored her but was forced2 believe her by half-time.She was rite, ,yes hy saw d Eagles a couple of times on tv b4 d match, and they were always at d dining table .
B4 d match, hy said hy had a funny feeling, n behold, my worst fears!
2 matches to go,2 pts behind Tunisia, what else could be worse than that?

Heard kano pillars was beaten at home? Is that true?

They won 3-2, qualified for the semis

Kano Pillars are going strong

I think these clubs should raid Players from Ghana and that Loti Phiri
nigerian clubs can get the best players on teh continent if the have proper structures in place
and pay players on time! after all we have the best league in Africa _{( i have a feeling they bought this title)}

shooting stars got a website http://shootingstarssc.com/

KANO PILLARS REACH LAST FOUR


Kano Pillars became the second Nigerian Club to reach the last four of the Orange/CAF Champions League after beating Zesco United 3-2 in a group ‘A’ clash on Sunday.

The win by the continental debutants settled the dust in the group as Sudanese giants Al-Hilal claimed the other Group’s other semi-final spot.

Pillars, ousters of holders Al-Ahly of Egypt maintained hundred percent home record to complete a Nigerian double at the last four after Heartland eased through twenty-four hours earlier from Group B.

This is the first time in the history of the Orange/CAF Champions League that two clubs from Africa’s most populous country has reached the last four.

Paradoxically, it was Zesco United that stunned the packed crowd at the Sani Abacha Stadium in the Northern Nigerian city of Kano with the opener after two minutes through striker George Phiri.

Goal merchant Victor Namo drew parity for the hosts sixty seconds on before Phiri restored the lead of the visitors six minutes to half time.

With defeat staring at them, Pillars resumed the strongly and their efforts yielded dividends on 55 minutes when Namo brought the scores to par on 55 minutes before Bello Kofarmata snatched the winner four minutes from time.

Pillars have 10 points, same as leaders Al-Hilal, but the latter have superior goal difference. Not even the outcome of the final fixture can have an influence on the standings as Zesco United have points with Sudanese side, Al-Merrikh at the depth with two points.

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/champions-league_2009/news/3384-kano-pillars-reach-last-four.html

Yeah.Great job by Heartland n Pillars. Hy want2 ask, will they have2 face each other in d Semis?

The League Kicks off today with the battle of the Niger Delta I & II

Dolphin V Ocean Boys

Bayelsa United V Sharks

I still throw down my support to my darling home team and wish them good luck.


F'uckin NTA would show EPL games and not show us Pillars or Heartland tormenting the rest of Africa. Nonsense!!!

still struggling to get my head round the fixtures, it seem kano pillars have been playing ever since they won the local league last year-two seasons ago
with the league starting this weekend, teams like Heartland, Pillars, Bayelsa etc will have no break whatsoever especially with the so called FA cup, Super Four
all bundled together towards the end of last season

Whilst other teams are refreshing their legs, buying players and getting ready for the new season, these teams will just continue like that!!

so much for the best league in africa* No news about new seaon jersey, new players. new Coach etc etc
best league indeed, and still no website!!!! Mallam obaseki

Hydy:

Yeah.Great job by Heartland n Pillars. Hy want2 ask, will they have2 face each other in d Semis?

Kano pillars top their group with a draw today, so they will be facing the runner up of the other group
If Heartland top their group, they will avoid each other

where is this years final taking place? hopefully it will be in a North African stadium or South Africa or Abuja

Dis Guy:

still struggling to get my head round the fixtures, it seem kano pillars have been playing ever since they won the local league last year-two seasons ago
with the league starting this weekend, teams like Heartland, Pillars, Bayelsa etc will have no break whatsoever especially with the so called FA cup, Super Four
all bundled together towards the end of last season

Whilst other teams are refreshing their legs, buying players and getting ready for the new season, these teams will just continue like that!!

so much for the best league in africa* No news about new seaon jersey, new players. new Coach etc etc
best league indeed, and still no website!!!! Mallam obaseki

Agreed that there are flaws here and there, we are not there yet but considering that we have produced teams in the top four of the Continents biggest competition for the past few years including winning it back to back (Enyimba) and now we have two clubs in the semi finals, I think we totally deserve that award! But then, there is still so much work to be done.

I pity Pillars cos like you said, they have been playing without a break for ages but thats because the NPL wants to keep the Nigerian league on the same time table with the European league. The reason is simple: Our players can go for 'trials' in europe when both leagues are on break without putting their clubs in jeopardy like they used to do before. The downside to this is because the CAF league runs till december, clubs in continental competitions will have no time to go on break. Its a big issue that needs to be resolved asap.

I wish Heartland can also top their group like Pillars have done so that we can have a chance of having two Naija teams in the finals. However, if both sides meet in the semis, at least we are sure of a Naija team in the final.

The final is played on a home and away basis @ DisGuy

Kano Pillars will tackle fellow Nigerian club Heartland in the semi-finals of this year's CAF Champions League early next month after both teams finished top and runners-up of their respective groups.

Pillars finished with 11 points from six matches after they drew 1-1 with El Merriekh late on Saturday in Sudan to top Group A, while Heartland fell 2-1 to Zimbabwe's Monomotapa in Harare to relinquish the leadership of Group B to TP Mazembe of DR Congo.

Mazembe defeated Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia 1-0 at home to finish top of Group B on 12 points, two points ahead of Heartland.

Pillars will host the first leg of their semi-finals with Heartland on October 3, while the return leg is slated for two weeks later at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Enyimba are the only Nigerian club to have won the continent's elite club contest, when they triumphed in 2003 and 2004.

http://goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/09/20/1512813/caf-champions-league-nigerian-clubs-heartland-and-pillars

Well not too bad. At least a nigerian club will be in the final.

thats really nice, at least Nigeria has 50% chance of lifting the trophy. . .  i'm hoping for a heartland- Al hilal final

, see ooo, nigerian league is on and hy haven't watch any match yet. Any1 knows if supersports show live matches? Hy also need sites where hy can get updates on d league, Updates of dis season will also be appreciated on dis thread, Thanks

Is this the Nigerian league thread or the Champions league thread?

Lets keep it local.

My team dissapointed this weekend. We could only pick a point at home
against Dolphins. If we want to have a great season, we should pick
up as many points at home as possible because we'll likely be dodgy
away from Ibadan.

Up Sootin

akinalabi:

Is this the Nigerian league thread or the Champions league thread?

Lets keep it local.

My team dissapointed this weekend. We could only pick a point at home
against Dolphins. If we want to have a great season, we should pick
up as many points at home as possible because we'll likely be dodgy
away from Ibadan.

Up Sootin

It shouldnt hurt to commend the nigerian teams doing us proud in the CAF CL. You shouldnt expect that another thread be created just to talk about the CAF CL

dipo2much:

It shouldnt hurt to commend the nigerian teams doing us proud in the CAF CL. You shouldnt expect that another thread be created just to talk about the CAF CL

I thought there was a thread on it

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-322908.0.html

akinalabi:

My team dissapointed this weekend. We could only pick a point at home
against Dolphins. If we want to have a great season, we should pick
up as many points at home as possible because we'll likely be dodgy
away from Ibadan.

Up Sootin

Was that why 11 extra minutes were played instead of the 4 minutes indicated by the 4th official? Must 3SC always win in Ibadan?

A team that needs dagbo to win home games should return to the 2nd division. . .

so what is Sootings Fans Anthem?

Monday evening match
Kaduna utd 1-Sunshine stars 1.Good start for sunshine,4 POINTS from two games

Kanu should come back and play for Heartland and stop begging for contracts at Portsmouth!

ow11:

Was that why 11 extra minutes were played instead of the 4 minutes indicated by the 4th official?

Comot. We didnt play 11 minutes extra. Who reported that?

ow11:

Must 3SC always win in Ibadan?

Our home matches are important to us

ow11:


A team that needs dagbo to win home games should return to the 2nd division. . .

We're Shooting Stars remember?

akinalabi:

Comot. We didnt play 11 minutes extra. Who reported that?

Did you see the game?

Rythym 93.7 reported it on monday morning and Wazobia fm commented that it was a repeat of the Man Utd V Citeh show of shame.

You should not rely on the referee to win the NPL else what TP Mazembe did to Monomotapa would be child's play compared to the pounding Cheating Shooting Stars will receive if they manage to dagbo their way to the title.

Sharks will show this 3SC pepper in PH.

A mix up made me miss the match. Making my way to Liberty stadium with
the traffic we had in Ibadan that day was a bit difficult but I had some of
my friends there.

I can bet it that Rythm and Wazobia did not have reporters there. Just
the garbage people were throeing around.

COmparing it with the City match can only make it legal because the injury
time added at Old Trafford was legit and justified.