From Poland with love for Pillars

By Ojeikere Aikhoje

It’s normal to find locals converge either on the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata or the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon-Gari, to cheer Pillars, on a typical match day.

Kano Pillars couldn’t play newly promoted Giwa FC on match day one due to issues concerning the club’s eligibility for top flight football and so the fans had to wait till match day two to watch their top stars on duty.

As expected the fans came in their hundreds to support Pillars open the season against Sunshine Stars.

Interestingly, the league opener was also witnessed by a different kind of fan in Poland’s Mariusz Krasniewski [pictured], who has a knowledge of former Polonia Warsaw forward, Emmanuel Olisadebe, the Nigerian who played for Poland and Kenneth Zeigbo, who represented rivals, Legia Warsaw side.

Like other fans, Krasniewski arrived ahead of kickoff to savour the pre-match experience.

Krasniewski, who is from the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, in the Polish capital, Warsaw, is not in Kano to scout for players.

In fact, he has nothing to do with players’ management, but is conducting research on Hausa Hip Hop Music at the famous Bayero University.

Krasniewski was proud to display his match day ticket to supersport.com.

“It’s not my first time in Kano as I was here six years ago for three weeks to attend a conference. However, this is the first time I’ll watch Kano Pillars play at home.

“I know Pillars are Nigerian champions and had to arrange my programme at Bayero University to coincide with the resumption of the Nigerian league to enable me watch Pillars at home,” he told supersport.com.

Verdict

Although he wanted Pillars to win the match, Krasniewski wasn’t disappointed.

“It was an interesting match and both teams played fast football. I’m confident Pillars will win their next match,” he stated.

Kwasniewski applauded the performance of Kano Pillars striker, Gambo Muhammad, whose equaliser prevented Sunshine Stars from shattering their home invincibility.

Emmanuel Olisadebe

Krasniewski can’t forget Nigerian-born Olisadebe, who represented Poland at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup.

“I know he’s a Nigerian, but he played for my favourite club, Polonia Warsaw and the (Poland) national team,” he said to supersport.com.

Culled from supersport.com