Kano Pillars plan to take over Ahmadu Bello Stadium
Kaduna 2019 Aiteo Cup Final Tornadoes promise N.5m for each goal against Sai Masu Gida
THEY came agonizingly close to winning the Aiteo Cup last year, but Kano Pillars lost it inexplicably to Enugu Rangers.
The game at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba was barely 40 minutes old when the Sai Masu Gida raced to a 3-0 lead against the Flying Antelopes. But they crumbled in the second half to lose the game on penalties to Rangers. It took the former Nigerian league champions some time to come to terms with their loss, but now they say they are ready for another go at the trophy.
Kano Pillars will face Niger Tornadoes in the 2019 final of the Aiteo Cup at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium,
Kaduna, and the players and officials say nothing will stop them from talking the crown this term. Already, the club has started mobilising their supporters from across the country for what they term ‘Operation win Aiteo Cup.’ It involves anybody that has positive things to do with the club.
Speaking on the preparations for the game, Kano Pillars’ Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Babangida said all the local councils are involved in mobilising support for the encounter, adding that the players and their officials have been motivated to win the competition.
“The stadium’s capacity is 25,000 and we want to fill it.
“We are getting 1,000 fans from each of the local governments to go with us to Kaduna for the game.
“I am not in government, but I know the state will reward the team handsomely for victory, so every hand is on deck to ensure we beat Tornadoes to the cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, as a means of motivation, the management of Niger Tornadoes has promised a N500, 000 cash reward for each goal scored by the team against Kano Pillars in the final of the 2019 Federation Cup. The Ikon Allah Boys narrowly lost the 2017 final against Akwa United.