This Is Kano Pillars’ Title – Coach

Despite suffering its eighth defeat in this season’s campaign on Sunday, Kano Pillars’ head coach, Salisu Yusuf, is still confident that the title for the ongoing term is still his club’s own for the taking.

Yusuf though is unhappy that his side threw the chance of picking a point off Bayelsa United at the tail end of the game at the weekend, he is happy that his players showed the will to be champions this season.

Kano Pillars had gone into the lead through Gambo Muhammad before Mannir Ubale’s brace ensured all three points for the champion.

“It was a difficult game in a difficult place. We lost the game just close to the end because it looked like we would have taken a point back to Kano with us, which would have been good. But that did not happen. We are disappointed but we have not lost confidence in ourselves. Our target still remains winning the league trophy this season and I can tell you that this is our league trophy,” the former Lobi Stars’ manager told Naijaligue.blogspot.com.

Yusuf, who has won the Manager of the Month Award organised by Naijaligue.blogspot.com and Naijapremierleague.com, believes that titleholder, Bayelsa United, proved that it remains champion of the country in spite of having a struggling season.

The coach would now be looking forward to the outcome of the game involving rival, Enyimba, with Ranch Bees at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Thursday to know if his side would remain in pole position on the Premier League log.

Yusuf is also concerned with Kano Pillars’ form on the road, as the club has won just twice away in 15 matches.

“Enyimba are the next team behind us and they have to play during the week (against Ranch Bees), but we are not disturbed by that. We only want to concentrate on ourselves and see how we can continue to do well in our away matches by picking points. That is the problem we have and that’s why we lost to Bayelsa United,” he said.

Yusuf also refused to complain about the officiating of the centre referee, which some officials of the Kano club reportedly frowned at.

The Kano Pillars’ gaffer immediately decided to put the loss at Yenagoa behind him to face another potential top-of-the-bill clash with CAF Confederation campaigner, Warri Wolves, on Sunday in Kano.

“I don’t want to talk about that (the officiating in the game with Kano Pillars). I want to concentrate on the next game (against Warri Wolves),” Yusuf simply said.