Just in case you’re yet to see it, this week’s posts have been about weekend’s big one – Pillars are coming to town.
Ok, usually, “town” should mean Aba. But well, if again, you are alien to what’s going on with us, town in this context is Calabar.
We’ve graduated from Enyimba of Aba to Enyimba of Umuahia and then Enyimba of Port Harcourt.
Now we are Enyimba of Calabar, and with this season already in its September, the magnitude of this fixture isn’t lost on us.
So, onto today’s kernel, Is Kano Pillars really a big club? Or they’re just a team fortunate to be at the right time when others stuttered.
Are they now suffering because their weaknesses are exposed?
I’ll judge this based on three basic parameters that should define a big team. Parameters that if you line up in the European football/soccer platform, you can measure a team and define if really it is a big team.
First is how rich a history does it have? Next, what is the magnitude of its administrative, playing and structural investment? Finally, the locale it is situated.
It would be unfair to claim that Kano Pillars, four times NPFL Champions fell short of this category.
They got their first title in 2008 before an intriguing back to back to back titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
In some of those title wins, our dear Enyimba was runner up by the tiniest of margins. In fact their last title till date was won right at our Aba home, with our several thousands watching. Their fans even left an indelible mark on our pitch. 1/3
Rich investment? Another Yes. At one time, we heard Kano Pillars captain was the highest earner in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
This fellow was not just the highest earner, he like the rest of the squad was promptly paid as well.
Pillars have the ability to attract big names and that is how they carted away Udoji, Anyanwu, Aliyu, Kamal, Aloma and Najare, We couldn’t even afford to get in a tussle with them for Christian Obiozor.
Their wage bill is similar to Enyimba’s and believe me, it’s some serious figures. They also do have a massive and intimidating facility. 2/3
The third point is the locale – in other words the amount of support and fans they have.
You don’t lose your “big teamness” following a poor recent results. In the same way a Plateau United won’t suddenly become a big team because they are doing a Leicester City this season.
Pillars pullulate their stadium every home game. Yes we know sometimes it gets nasty and violent once in a blue moon but the sheer numbers alone aren’t for a football side that doesn’t know it’s onions.
It is common knowledge that Kano Pillars and Enyimba (of Aba, not of Port Harcourt or Calabar) have two of the highest NPFL attendances. 3/3.
So while they haven’t won the title in three years. And they haven’t made a headway in the Continent in like forever and yea they have one of the worst away records this season, And they are placed 10th on the table, Kano Pillars are a good match-up any day and they are indeed a big team.
You don’t lose your “big teamness” following a poor recent results. In the same way a Plateau United won’t suddenly become a big team because they are doing a Leicester City this season.
Kano Pillars would get the respect they deserve as a big team that they are but we must also ensure they don’t fail to leave with their nice L in the trunk of their pretty bus.
Hopefully Ogunbote and the boys won’t have this lost on them. Meanwhile you can have further readings here and here.
That’s my story this morning, I return same time same station tomorrow,
‘EnyimbaEnyi’
By ThatEnyimbaFan
