Africa: CAF League – Pillars in Morocco Without Funds

Daily Independent (Lagos)

18 March 2011

Nigeria’s CAF Champions’ League campaigner, Kano Pillars, is in Morocco for its tie against Waded Casablanca without funds from government.

Aside the issue of funds, the team also left for the tie without three of its players due to injury concerns. The players are, Shehu Shagari, Mannir Ubale and Shariff Isa.

However, three players, Joseph Atang Thompson, Abdulwasiu Showemimo and Gambo Mohammed are back in the team for the trip to Morocco.

An official confirmed to us on Wednesday that the team left for Morocco without funds because there was no approval from the Kano State government.

“The fund for the trip is yet to be approved, but I believe some thing would be done about it before we play our match in Casablanca,” the worried official said.

Despite lack of funds the officials assured that they will not disappoint against Widad de Casablanca in the first leg of the round of 16 elite clubs clash.

The coach, Ladan Bosso, said they are not scared of the North African opponent rather Nigerians should expect the best from them.

“We are going ahead with our normal preparations. We hope to improve on our last performance against the Liberian champion.

“Pillars registered 30 players for the tournament so I do not think there will be any problem selecting 18 players for the assignment.

“North Africans play peculiar style, we know how to handle them and we are determined not to disappoint the fans and our sponsors,” he said.

Bosso, however, want Nigerians to pray for the team’s success, even as he said that the three missing players are among the team’s best.

“We can’t go to Morocco with unfit players; we want them to recover on time for other matches.

The winner of the two-leg game is expected to face the title holders and world clubs championship finalist, DR Congo’s TP Mazempe.

Pillars ended the ambition of the Liberian champions, Mighty Barolle in the first stanza.

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