Nigeria Professional Football League side, Kano Pillars have confirmed resolution of the heated transfer feud with Abia Warriors over former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo, Completesports.com reports.
Enaholo had joined the four time League winners, Pillars during the summer transfer window, but Abia Warriors claimed the move breached all normal transfer procedures and twice, petitioned league organisers, LMC.
The club had then said they were not opposed to the player’s desire to move but stressed that though he still had one season left on his existing contract, due process should be followed.
But the executive chairman of Kano Pillars board, Surajo Shuaibu Yahaya, has now revealed exclusively to Completesports.com that the transfer feud has been amicably resolved, heaping plaudits on Abia Warriors chairman, Pastor Emeka Inyama, for his understanding, cooperation and maturity in ensuring that the issue was amicably resolved.
“Kano Pillars is a disciplined club who always play by the set rules and regulations. We always respect constituted authorities in our dealing and try as much as possible to follow due process.
“Right now, we have no issues with Abia Warriors as regards Joshua Enaholo or any other player for that matter.
“And we are particularly grateful to Abia Warriors management headed by Chief (pastor) Emeka Inyama for the wonderful role he played towards the resolution of the matter arising from Joshua’s transfer.
“Enaholo is now fully with us. He was part of the team in Jos (against Plateau United) and would also be there in Uyo against Akwa Starlets.
“We are also grateful to the League Management Company, LMC, for their role in settling the matter,” the Pillars boss stressed.
The Pillars boss also spoke on the fate of the club’s technical crew headed by Musa Ibrahim after the expiration of the three-match ultimatum handed to him and his backroom staff following the Sai Masu Gida’s poor run in the season.
Yahaya made it clear he has no power to sack coach Ibrahim Musa, stressing that even though as chairman of the club, such power to relief the coach of his duty lies in the hands of the government who are the owners and financiers of the club.
“As a father, you can beat your child with the left hand and still bring him back and cuddle him with the right,” starts the Pillars boss.
“We are not happy over the club’s poor start to the season and I had to give that three match ultimatum but honestly, I do not have the power to sack.
“Remember, the club belongs to the government of Kano State and it is only the government that have the power to take such decision.”
Yahaya believes that the point Kano Pillars picked at Plateau United in Sunday’s match-day six fixture was a sign of improvement and the fact that better days are in front.
Pillars were sanctioned with a three-match behind closed doors by the League Management Company [LMC] prior to the start of the season.
The Sai Masu Gida side have served out that sanction. They lost one of the three games (0-1 to Lobi Stars) and recorded scoreless draws against Rivers United and Wikki Tourists.
The four-time NPFL champions are now tucked at the bottom rung of the league ladder and the club boss attributed their new season predicament to the fact they were separated from their home supporters.
“There is no doubt that we missed our home supporters. Their cheering has a positive way of motivating the team, Yahaya added.
“We also missed our inspirational captain, Rabiu Ali. However, the team is picking up their strides,” Yahaya said.
Kano Pillars secured a valuable point at leaders, Plateau United, in a matchday-six fixture at Jos and the chairman, says it is a sign of a new beginning for the team.
“It was a good result. We hope to take it further up from there and by the grace of Almighty Allah, we can get a good result at Akwa Starlets on Wednesday in our rescheduled match,” Yahaya said.
After Wednesday’s trip to Akwa Starlets in Uyo, Pillars will return to their ancestral Sani Abacha Stadium home ground to host Delta Force (now Kwara United) in their NPFL matchday-seven fixture with their fans and supporters sitting in the stands.
“Our three-match closed-door punishment is over. After the match against Akwa Starlets in Uyo on Wednesday, we will return to Kano to host Delta Force (now Kwara United) and our fans will be allowed to watch the game.
“It is nice we are going to have our fans back in the stadium to cheer us,” the Pillars boss, a former player during his youth, said.
The Kano Pillars chairman could not be drawn into making a categorical statement as regards his target for the club this season.
“For now, I can’t say we are going to do this or that. Instead, I’m concentrating on ensuring that the club stabilized.
“Our position on the table is precarious. So I want the team to return to safe position in the table and from there, anything can happen.”
