End of the road for Pillars

End of the road for Pillars 22 Aug 2015 1:43 AM  There’s nothing that can quite match the experience of watching a football game live. In fact, I can expand that statement to encompass any sporting event. There’s electricity in the air that has to be seen and heard rather than described. I was in Aba on Wednesday with SuperSport to cover one of such occasions. The biggest game of the season so far, the Week 24 clash between Enyimba and their perennial rivals and champions, Kano Pillars. A match that might go a long way in deciding the eventual destination of the title, as fixtures between these two clubs usually do. Even though it was a midweek game the stadium was two-thirds full with fans, who knew the importance of the game. There have always been subplots in the always tight clashes between the two most successful teams of the last decade but especially in the last three years, when Kano Pillars have narrowly managed to pip Enyimba to the title. Two seasons ago, Pillars beat Enyimba in a highly contentious, replayed match in Lokoja. The game should (in my opinion) never have been replayed, as it was riotous behaviour of Pillars fans in Kano that caused the match to be abandoned. However, in a controversial decision that defied all logic, the then Organisation and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation insisted on Pillars and Enyimba replaying the match, instead of awarding the three points to the away side. All Enyimba needed to clinch the title that season was a draw but they fluffed their lines lost the match 1-0, after missing so many gilt-edged chances to score and gifted the title to Pillars. The scenario has changed somewhat in the 2015 season. Pillars came into Wednesday’s game in 5th place on the log, five points adrift of Enyimba. Pillars had a wretched start to the season, which explained their only 37 points from 23 games and crucially, six points off league leaders and new kids on the block, Sunshine Stars. For the first time in three years, the league title isn’t a two but a three-horse race, with Sunshine Stars refusing to be dimmed by their more illustrious rivals. This made the match a must win game for Pillars, who under new coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru came into the game on a six game unbeaten run. However, a nagging worry for fans of the Sai Masu Gida this season is their inability to pick up points on their travels. In 11 away games, Pillars have only won once, drawn twice and lost eight; definitely not a title-winning form. Enyimba on the other hand have been practically impregnable at home, winning seven and drawing four of their eleven home games. Wednesday’s game thus presented them with a perfect opportunity, to not only deal a knockout blow to their bitter rivals but also reclaim top spot from league leaders, Sunshine Stars, who were away to Dolphins. I must make special mention of Sunshine Stars, who after 24 weeks of the NPFL have shown they are no flash in the pan and are genuine title contenders. A one hundred per cent home record, allied with the best attack and best defence in the league, have ensured the Stars have remained in the top two, most of the season. They also have the prolific Tunde Adeniji (the leagues’ leading scorer with 12 goals), leading their attack. All Sunshine Stars need is an improvement in their away form to successfully fend off their title rivals. Unfortunately, that improvement still eludes them as they lost one nil to relegation-threatened Dolphins. Like Pillars, they too only have one away win so far this season. Enyimba took full advantage of Sunshine Stars slip up, by beating Pillars one nil in a tightly contested match and in my mind virtually ending Pillars title defence. Enyimba now top the NPFL with 45 points, two clear of Sunshine Stars. I know it might be a little presumptive and premature to write the football equivalent of Pillars obituary but I doubt their ability to bounce back from their midweek setback. Even though there are still 14 weeks to play in the league, an eight point deficit is a lot to claw back. Their abysmal away form dictates Pillars will drop points. If you factor in third and fourth-placed Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists, who are also making a charge for continental tickets, you would appreciate the extent of Pillars predicament. Both teams picked up points midweek to further consolidate their positions in the top four. Wolves ground out a hard fought goalless draw away to El Kanemi, while Wikki beat Abia Warriors 2-0 at home; both are level on 41 points. There’s still a lot of football to be played but Enyimba did themselves a world of good by dispatching Pillars and are now odds on favourites to replace them as champions. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: editor@punchng.com