Football: Ahmed Musa Appointed General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Musa aiming to restore Kano Pillars’ lost glory
Kano Pillars are one of the most successful clubs in the Nigerian Premier Football League’s (NPFL) history, having won the league title four times and represented the nation at the CAF Champions League, where their best effort resulted in a semi-final appearance in 2009.
However, over the last decade, Masu Gida have endured a steady decline, finishing 11th in the league standings in 2023-24 and ninth last season, 18 points behind eventual NPFL winners Remo Stars, who secured their maiden title.
A combination of a lack of motivation among players and coaching staff, mismanagement, and poor funding has all contributed to the team’s fall from grace, but Pillars’ fans now have a new reason for optimism.
Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed a new management board ahead of the 2025-26 NPFL season, with Nigerian football icon Ahmed Musa set to take up the role as the club’s new general manager following the expiration of the one-year tenure of the outgoing board.
Speaking to the media following the confirmation of his appointment, the 32-year-old Super Eagles forward vowed to help the club return to its past glory days, while stressing the need for the new board to tackle the club’s existing challenges head-on. He said:
“Kano Pillars is our club and one of the most successful in Nigeria, but in recent years, the story has changed. I want to assure everyone here that with your support and the backing of the board members, I will do everything possible to reposition the club and make it one of the finest not only in Africa but also globally. Having played here and with the experience I gained in Europe, I believe I can contribute meaningfully to help the club achieve its full potential.”
After playing abroad for teams like Leicester City in the Premier League and Russian giants CSKA Moscow, Musa returned to Kano Pillars for a third stint with the club in October last year and will now serve as a player-manager for the upcoming campaign.
Busy summer ahead of 2025-26 NPFL season
While there are plenty of changes expected at the Kano-based club ahead of the upcoming season, other teams in the Nigerian top flight are already hard at work bringing in reinforcements and shipping out any surplus to requirements.
In the last week, nine-time league winners Enyimba released 22-year-old goalkeeper Zalli Abdullahi, while reigning NPFL champions Remo Stars parted ways with veteran attacker Franck Mawuena. Reports suggest Remo is eyeing Malian forward Adama Goita as his replacement.
Another Sky Blue Stars player whose future remains uncertain is Sikiru Alimi, who is understood to be in discussions with Rivers United over a more lucrative deal. Alimi’s current contract with the champs is set to run out at the end of this month.
