18th March, 2011
One of Nigeria’s Orange CAF champions league campaigners, Kano Pillars, have assured that they will not disappoint during their match against Widad de Casablanca of Morocco in the Sunday’s first leg of the round of 16 elite clubs clash.
Pillars ended the ambition of the Liberian champions, Mighty Barolle, in the first stanza. The team handler, Isah Ladan Bosso, told SuperSport.com that they are not scared of the North African opponent rather Nigerians should expect the best from them.
“We are going ahead with our normal preparations, believing that we will acquit ourselves very well. We hope to improve on our last performance against the Liberian champion.
“Pillars registered 30 players for the CAF champions league so I do not think there will be any problem selecting 18 players for the assignment.
“North Africans play peculiar style, we know how to handle them and we are determined not to disappoint fans and our sponsors.â€
The former national Under-17 coach will however want Nigerians to commit into prayers the activities of the nation’s continental flag bearers.
“We need prayers from Nigerians for Pillars, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Kaduna United, they are representing the country and not their respective clubs and they should be prayed for consistently,†he said.
Meanwhile, Bosso has revealed that Shehu Shagari, Mannir Ubale and Shariff Isa have been left behind due to injuries.
“We have three key players injured for this game against Wydad Casablanca. We are travelling without Shehu Shagari, Mannir Ubale and Shariff Isa. No doubt these three are among our best but we thought it good to leave out unfit players because this is a very important game.
“Also, we want the players to recover on time because we are still going to compete in the league, the FA Cup and by God’s grace in the CAF champions league. Hopefully one, two or even all of them will be back for the second leg of this game,” Bosso told SuperSport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos State.
However, Pillars have been handed a boost with the trio of Joseph Atang Thompson, Abdulwasiu Showemimo and Gambo Mohammed back in the team for the trip to Morocco.
The three players were missing when Pillars played host to Mighty Barolle of Liberia in the return leg of their first round game at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Bosso said he is happy to have the three men back in the team after their trip with the Super Eagles to the USA for the botched Green Bowl invitational tournament.
“We are happy to have them for this game,” Bosso said.
The winner of the two-leg game is expected to face the title holders and world clubs championship finalist, DR Congo’s TP Mazempe.
