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Two things to expect from Kano Pillars vs. Enyimba

This weekend sees the two biggest teams in the Premier League collide in Kano, as the league resumes from breaking for the elections. Kano Pillars vs. Enyimba has come very early in the season, and it is just as well, as the momentum from this would be a huge boost for whichever team gets a favourable result.

Here are two things to look out for in this epic encounter.

Continue reading... http://enyimbafc.net/news/news-detail.php?newsID=241


A Dose of Nigerian Football, Another Pillars – Enyimba Show
http://www.thatenyimbafan.com/blogs/guest-post-kano-pillars-vs-enyimba-intl/


Pillars, Enyimba battle ready, as Glo Premier League returns
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/04/pillars-enyimba-battle-ready-as-glo-premier-league-returns/


SL10 Interview With Enyimba Captian Chinedu Udoji
http://www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/nigerian-premier-league/sl10-interview-with-enyimba-captian-chinedu-udoji/207101

Players from both sides have been Ranting

honeric01
please pin this thread to the top so as to gather momentum and discussions for the big game. It can then be moved to fp on Sunday.
Thanks

Match Preview: Kano Pillars v Enyimba

The Glo Premier League gets underway this weekend across Nigeria after a two-week hiatus due to the country�s general election.

At different venues across the federation where games will be played, some pretenders will slug it out with the real contenders, but the biggest game of the weekend will undoubtedly be Enyimba taking on Kano Pillars in the commercial city of Kano.

Even though the 25,000 capacity Sani Abacha stadium is a ground where only a few teams had emerged unscathed, the People's Elephant are well armed with a knowledge of what the host will throw at them and are likely to put up a good fight, and also given how their Abia State FA Cup win on Wednesday would have buoyed them.

But clearly what both teams have in common going into this titanic clash is their elimination from the prestigious Caf Champions League. They will be keen to return to league action with a bang no doubt.

Kano Pillars were beaten by the Moroccan team, Tetouan Maghrib while Enyimba were eased out of the competition controversially, after a questionable red card and an undeserved penalty by debutant Smouha SC of Egypt. Pillars will be banking on the expertise of head coach, Okey Emordi, himself a former manager of Enyimba when they conquered Africa in 2004, but this can't be completely relied upon by the host, as Enyimba thrashed them 3-1 in Aba on the last day of the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League season.

Naturally, both sides cannot be evaluated by their performances in the current league season as it's is only three match days old and unlikely to provide a good enough yardstick, but a glimpse into how the champions and runners-up last season fared in their brief continental campaign can be telling. For Kano Pillars, overrunning a less fancied Al Malakia of South Sudan was no problem, but face to face with a more formidable Fetouan Maghribian side that paraded one of the stars of Holland 2005 in Mouhcine Iajour, Pillars could not hold their own and completely fell apart.

Three of the four goals conceded in the first leg came in the first half; a hat-trick by Mouhcine Iajour and a late strike by Zaid Krouch. Pillars defense capitulated under the relentless pressure of the Moroccans, gifting Iajour a field day to torment the hapless Sai Masugida backline. The return leg two weeks later at Pillars' fortress wasn't any different, as they were undone in the first half by yet another Mouhcine Iajour strike. The host thereafter restored parity; before requiring Rabiu Ali's stoppage time goal to hand themselves a drab 2-1 win.

For Enyimba, it was another missed opportunity to grab a third CAF Champions League crown. After an emphatic 4-0 aggregate win over Buffles du Borgu in the preliminary round; torrents of questionable calls from the centre referee gifted Egypt's Smouha an undeserved 2-0 victory to overturn the 1-0 first leg win Enyimba had carried into the game in Alexandria.

Notwithstanding the manner of their continental exits, one indisputable fact is that Enyimba and Pillars parade the best and most skillful legs in the league. Enyimba boasts the likes of Raphael Boumsong, Mfon Udoh, Kingsley Sokari and Chijioke Ejiogu while Pillars parade players such as of Gambo Mohammed, Bello Koffamata, Theophilous Afelokhai and Rabiu Ali.

In Okey Emordi and Kadiri Ikhana, the match will pitch two veterans who have won laurels with either team at different times. Ikhana guided Pillars to their maiden Nigeria Premier League triumph in 2008. This was after leading Enyimba to their first Champions League in 2003, the first time in thirty-nine years a Nigerian club had managed to do so. Emordi meanwhile helped The Elephants retain the title the following year before going on to steer Pillars to their fourth league title last season.

Both sides will be imposing and assertive, but this might just be the year of The Elephants to pick a famous win against their bitter rivals. Nwajim Stephen writes from Benin City, Edo State.

http://enyimbafc.net/news/news-detail.php?newsID=244

Kano Pillars v @EnyimbaFC
NPFL Defending champions v FA Cup defending champions
4 times NPFL Champions v 6 times NPFL Champions

Game Hashtag:#KANENY

Match Preview

*The chant in Kano is: Enyimba must fall
*No, we won’t, boast People’s Elephants
In the 1970’s up to the 1980’s, the story of Club football in Nigeria was dominated by the quartet of Enugu Rangers, IICC Shooting Stars, Bendel Insurance and Raccah Rovers. The late 1980’s saw the emergence of the likes of New Nigerian Bank, Leventis United, Abiola Babes, Iwuanyanwu Nationale and BCC Lions. This first 15 years of the 21stcentury belongs to essentially two clubs, Enyimba International and Kano Pillars. Between them, the league title has been won 10 seasons out of 14.


The two teams are for now, the two best, the two biggest and have thrown up the fiercest of rivalry in the land comparable only to the Rangers versus 11CC rumbles of the 1970’s. They go head to head for the first time this season. On the blue corner is Enyimba, 6 time Glo Premier League Champions but have in recent times turned title wannabes stuttering behind the current League Champions by one point two years in a row. On the opposite corner is Kano Pillars, the home team for this fixture and thrice-in-a-row Premier League Champions. No, it does not get tastier than this.


Both teams, ousted from the CAF Champions League two weeks ago have their focus firmly fixed on the Premier League title. No doubt the outcome of this fixture may have little bearing on where the title will be headed seeing the season only just got started, but what better time to make an emphatic statement of your title credentials this season? Sam Nnaji and Uchenna Iyoke report


In Kano, the disappointment of Kano Pillars’ Champions League early ouster seem to have given way to great expectations of continuing their serial dominance of arch rivals, Enyimba International. From the players to fans and officials, it looks like beating Enyimba again at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday is more important than getting to the next round of the continental championship.


Some of the players, one of their die-hard fans and the club’s Curator and all were united in their conclusion that Enyimba must fall on this Super Sunday.


First to speak was midfield dynamo, Rabiu Ali who didn’t mince words in predicting a good win for Pillars as a first step towards assuaging their fans for the Champions League debacle. “There will be no pillar for Enyimba to wedge the full weight of the Aba Elephants from going down, we will start and end the match on a high note”.


Assessing Enyimba’s strength, Ali said “no doubt Enyimba is a good side any day and it is the respect we accord them that makes us be at our best each time we play them. We are fully determined to use this game to signal our plan to win the league again”.


On how they have coped with the psychological effect of elimination from the Champions League, he responded, “Continental football is over for us, the league is now the attention and we need to prove the true strength of a champion and return to the continent next season. Every player is fully focused on the job at hand which is the domestic league”.


Defender Isaac Loute spoke on the significance of the match and said, “Enyimba is a big team just like Pillars and when we come to play them, we prepare well. We are the champions but theyhave also come close to beating us to the cup for two years now. You know the fact that they have won the CAF Champions League and we have not won it makes the rivalry stronger. We don't want to lose to them and they don't want to lose to us.


Loute believes the 12th man on the field, the fans will swing the game their way “We have massive support on our ground and they will also be there. You know we disappointed them in the Champions League but they understand the troubles we had at the start of the season, They know we are playing a big team on Sunday so most of them will want to come out even those that don't usually come out, for us we will want to make them happy.


Defender Joel Djonjang also is counting on pleasing their fans as a major motivating factor to hurt Enyimba on Sunday. “We have been knocked out of the Champions League so our focus now is on the League and the Federation Cup. We have to put the Champions League behind us because the main challenge for the League starts this weekend against Enyimba. We have to be ready for this match. We want to make fans happy. This match will be a difficult game but we have to work hard concentrate and try to make it. We are the League Champions and we want to defend the title.


For former Akwa United forward, Ubong Ekpai, the fact that Pillars have the people and grounds of Kano supporting them spells problem for Enyimb. “When they say, Kano Pillars against Enyimba or Enyimba vs Kano Pillars, it is always the biggest match of the season. Both teams have big players who are so experienced and nobody wants to lose. This particular match is a very serious game for us and it will be a tough match. The advantage we have is that the match is in Kano and all the fans, the grass, even the air that we breathe will all be supporting us to win. The confidence is high because we are at home.


But some of Enyimba players admitted it will be tough but swore to end the serial loss in Kano.
Goalkeeper Femi Thomas agreed the fans in Kano can be intimidating but quickly noted that they have become accustomed to their noise.


"The only thing I can say is that the crowd and the intensity of the game makes everyone lift their game. It is a pulsating game and everyone is up for it. The fans and spectators make so much noise that gingers both teams. It is not just about lifting their own team because you too are motivated to do your best.


“You see, a lot of people are there, these are the biggest teams in the country and you don't know who is watching. You don't want to be the one who will play badly before that kind of crowd. So you want to bring out your best,” observed the goalkeeper.


Femi believes Enyimba won't go down this time against their hosts, saying, "We have what it takes to do well in Kano but I don't pay a lot of attention to a particular fixture because in the game of football the toughest game is the next game to play. So for me, my focus is to ensure I put in my best in the next game.


Captain Chinedu Udoji added a twist to the game and said he has his share of Kano fans having started his football career in the city."Playing against Pillars is always a big game but playing against them in Kano is also an emotional game for me. It is like me coming home, because I started my professional career there in Kano with one club called Buffaloes. So personally, it is a unique experience for me because I have a lot fans there, it's a big game.


For them, it is also a big game. We are two teams that respect ourselves. Recently we were knocked out of the CAF Champions League so we want to show our fans that we are better than what they saw at the Champions League. We really want to be at our best at the weekend.
He admitted it has always been herculean defeating Pillars in Kano, but said records are meant to be broken.

"You know the home factor but it is also difficult for them to beat us in Aba. But I always tell people records are meant to be broken, I see us breaking that record. We are going there with a different attitude. We are preparing for this game like it will be played for 120 minutes. In the last two seasons, we have lost to them in the dying minutes so we will stay concentrated till the end of the game. But after what happened in the Champions League, every game is a cup final starting from the Pillars match and by the special grace of God. We will come out on top.


Forward, Chinonso Okonkwo describes the clash as Nigeria's El-Classico, a reference to the annual rivalry in Spain between Barcelona and Real Madrid and declared that the match means a lot to Enyimba to wipe away pains of past defeats.


"Kano Pillars versus Enyimba is like our own El Classico, it is the biggest game of the season for us. This is a team that has denied us the League title for years now and the painful thing is that it is just one point difference. So this match means a lot to us, it is one game we must be up for as far as I am concerned.

Nonso believes the key to getting good result from Kano is to play calmly and not mind the noisy stands. "If we want to get a good result in Kano, we must be calm and play to our coach's instructions. It's not going to be an easy game but we just need that calmness and focus on what we need to do. We can get a good result which is to draw or even win the game.

Midfielder, Sikiru Kamal said they have to stop Pillars' winning run against Enyimba and that the squad is in the best mode to activate victory. "Sunday is the day Pillars will lose at home. Our players are in good shape. Now our coaches are having some dilemma choosing the team because everyone is fit and in good shape. It will be a difficult game for Pillars this Sunday.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/pillars-enyimba-rumble-in-super-sunday/206998/

Why so many hidden posts


Erm, election is now over. Back to our football

Ambo for sure

We thank you all for your love & support. It meant a lot to us. It's sad we couldn't make it through, but as always, we lose to win again - @EnyimbaFC

FT: | 2-0 | Our #CAFCL campaign comes to a bitter end after conceding two late goals in a game the match officials were blatantly biased.

Six minutes have been added on.

2-0 on the day, 2-1 on aggregate.

90+ Smouha score a second goal.



*faints*

It must be said though that the referee has been anything but objective in this game. Every call has gone Smouha's way from the very start.

87' | 1-0 | These final moments are nerve wracking as Smouha look to double their lead. Femi Thomas with another remarkable save.

*sobs*

Enyimba love to concede PKs

It's converted. One nil Smouha.

80' | 0-0 | A penalty has been awarded to Smouha

Hold on guys

74' | 0-0 | Substitution: Andrew Abalogu is replaced by Ifeanyi Anaemena as Ikhana attempts to plug the hole in midfield.

70' | 0-0 | Sokari Kingsley has been sent off for a second bookable offense! We are down to ten men, but not down in spirit!

We go close again! This time it's off target. | 0-0 |

Less than 20 mins to go

60' Substitution: Daniel Etor cannot carry on after that tackle. He's replaced by Raphael Boumsong

58' And we almost take the lead! Sokari Kingsley with a fine shot but it is punched clear by the Smouha keeper. | 0-0 |

A moment of worry for Ikhana as Daniel Etor is stretched off following a crunch tackle, but he is back on his feet and ready to go back in.

55' | 0-0 | Smouha are throwing everything they have at us.

taiocol:
Ajibel is this.....

Nah, That's not me lol. I'm not ThatEnyimbaFan

And we are off for the second half! | 0-0 |

Mukina2 were art thou?
honeric01 nko

HT: | 0-0 | A fiery first half comes to an end. A half in which Femi Thomas stood firmly between us and Smouha to maintain our agg. lead.

39' Another great save from Femi Thomas!

43' | 0-0 | Yet another effort on our goal and again Femi saves. Our defenders aren't clearing their lines.

Still scoreless. Live pic from the stadium

30' | 0-0 | Yellow card for Andrew Abalogu for a foul as the tempo of the game reduces slightly #SmouhaEnyimba