By Musbahu Bala Cediyar

Nationwide League One, NLO campaigners, Clever Warriors FC had staged a dazzling display to outwit their SAS opposition to clinch the ticket from Kano centre, to be on parade in the 2024 first-round playoff.

The Kano lads shake off their near-dismissive performance last season to rebound back to outshine their city rivals, this season

The club tutored by NNL promotion specialist, Bashir Lemy Adede are joyous in reaping the dividends of hard work and dedication , they exhibit style and bravery to win the play-off ticket

Clever Warriors were ruthless by wining all their three matches in the second round duel. After an excellent display in the first stanza of eight matches .” won 6 games and drew 2 “ to ascend the bridge that leads to NNL.

Warriors had advanced to the Play-Off games, set to confront their play-off opposition, Barau FC who had topped the Dutse centre.

Club proprietor , Najib Sabo Kurawa is been attributed with the energy that flows within the club, as they prepare to do the next battle against Barau fc,on May 29th, at Bwari stadium FCT Abuja..

Nigeria’s football hero, Kanu Nwankwo has arrived the ancient city of Kano to conduct a catch young football scouting exercise.

The former English Premier League , EPL attack maestro last Monday stormed the city accompanied by his retinue of aides, to execute a five days long football talent identification and recruitment programme organised by a Kano based grassroot clubside, Azuba fc .

The former Arsenal and Porthmouth football club in the English league goal poacher and now the incumbent , chairman, Eyimba fc International , in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Papilo as he is pouplarly called by his fans , last Tuesday at Sani Abacha stadium was sighted , while indulged in a players mentoring session, where he tutored the privileged players on the power and essence of develooping their mental strenght to compliment their skills inorder to flourish in the pursuit of their football career.

The chairman, Azuba fc, the organizer and sponsors of the exercise, Ahmed Zubairu Baba expressed delight over the presence of the renowned football ace turned club administrator.

Ahmed said ” we are delighted to offer, the abundant young Kano football players the platform to excel in their career.

According to him, Kanu Nwankwo ‘s presence in the midst of the youngsters is a moral booster that can further heightened the urge of the players to pursue their career with positive energy and newly acquired vigor henceforth.

He further said ” the short , mid and long term partnership objectives between Azuba fc and Eyimba football club have been well laid out.

He added that ‘ Eyimba has signed a partnership with a foriegn club that is interested in young talented players, “we brought them here to assess our players and to give them the chance to excel too, we are hopeful that the relationship will extend beyond discovery and recruitment of players, hoping we will arrive at the shores of kits sponsorship and facility development, in the renarest future, courtesy of this new football marriage between Azuba and Eyimba football club.” Ahned said.

Speaking on the motive behind their football visit to Kano, the Sporting Director, Eyimba FC International, Ifeanyi Ekwueme disclosed that their mission to Kano is to have a first hand assessment of the quality of the players that can be given the chance.to proceed to join the most renown football brand from Nigeria, Eyimba fc .

The well travelled ex international , Ekwueme as he is fondly called by his admirers, further revealed that, Eyimba FC under the management of Kanu Nwankwo is leaving no stone unturned in the quest to unearth football talents from all nooks.and crannies and bring them to Aba, where they will be polished in tune with Eyimba fc football eco system , which boasts of one of the best African football culture and development traditon that exists on the African continent and sahelian football region , Ekwueme said

He assured that the exercise will not end in futility, hinting that, Eyimba eagle eye scouts have commenced the combing of Kano for exceptional legs .

Ekwueme on behalf of their entourage thanked.his Excellency, the executive governor.of Kano state, Eng Abba Kabir Yusuf and the good people of Kano for the warm reception been extended to them, since they arrived the state.

By Ellams Awwal

Mustapha Salisu, once prolific goal scorer for NPFL team Katsina United. In the previous two seasons, Salisu showcased his prowess emerging top goal scorer for the Chanji boys before embarking on a free transfer that led him back to Kano Pillars.

Now at Pillars Salisu, Known for his electrifying pace and skillful plays, has become an enigma this season. Despite starting several matches from the bench and making impactful appearances in five games, Salisu’s name vanished from the squad list after matchday 16, leaving fans puzzled.

Contrary to speculation about injuries, reliable sources confirm that Salisu is fit and well. The mystery deepens as it appears that he has fallen out of favor with Coach Abdul Maikaba, a surprising turn of events given the coach’s track record of providing opportunities to young talents.

This season witnessed Coach Maikaba’s commitment to nurturing emerging players, with a focus on building a formidable team around the likes of Mustapha Salisu, Tsamage, Muhammad Aminu, Mustapha Umar, and Mubarak Sani. These rising stars were set to complement the experience of seasoned players like Mustapha Yuga and Rabiu Ali Pele leading Pillars attack.

The absence of Salisu raises questions about the underlying dynamics within the team. Could there be more to this situation than meets the eye? Football enthusiasts are left wondering about the factors that led to Salisu’s sudden disappearance and the implications for Kano Pillars’ strategic lineup.

Ndagi Suleiman says: “Although a team is bigger than any player. I found it odd that while recently promoted Junior team players like Tsamage and Mustapha Umar makes it only two wingers the coach has at his disposal. I would have thought somebody like Salisu with more experience would be given more playing time.”

As the season unfolds, the spotlight remains on Mustapha Salisu, a missing piece in the football puzzle, whose absence sparks curiosity and speculation among fans eager to see the talented winger back in action.