Kano Pillars have broken their silence following reports of growing dissatisfaction within the club, with management insisting that attempts to distract the team will not derail its ambition to restore the club to its former glory.
In an official statement published on the club’s WhatsApp channel, the Sai Masu Gida dismissed what they described as a social media campaign aimed at damaging their reputation and disrupting their progress in the ongoing 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The response followed reports that technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede was considering leaving the club over alleged financial difficulties and poor welfare conditions affecting players and officials.
Ogunmodede, popularly known as Ijaball, has overseen an impressive turnaround since arriving at Kano Pillars, transforming a side that had been struggling near the relegation zone into one of the leading contenders in the league. His work has restored belief around the club, making the reports of his possible departure particularly concerning for supporters.
However, the club’s management has sought to shift attention towards its achievements on the pitch, highlighting its campaign record as evidence of the progress being made under the present leadership.
According to the statement, Kano Pillars have played 12 league matches, accumulated 19 points and suffered just one defeat.
The management described the record as a reflection of the team’s determination, resilience and collective commitment, while maintaining that its ambition remains to re-establish the club among the leading forces in Nigerian football.
The club also addressed one of the most prominent allegations surrounding its recent difficulties: the team’s travelling arrangements.
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Reports had claimed that Kano Pillars’ official team bus broke down while returning from their away fixture against Kun Khalifat, leaving players and officials stranded before they arranged alternative transportation to continue their journey to Enugu.
A separate incident was also alleged to have occurred during the team’s return from Owerri, with the squad reportedly stranded on the road for three days following another breakdown.
But management offered a breakdown of the transportation arrangements for the club’s six away fixtures so far, revealing that the team had travelled by air on three occasions.
The statement specifically identified the rescheduled Matchday 3 fixture against Shooting Stars, explaining that the team flew from Kano to Lagos before proceeding to Ibadan for the encounter.
Following that match, the team also used a connecting flight to Jos ahead of its subsequent fixture against Plateau United. The management further listed the away encounter against Inter Lagos in Lagos as another occasion when air transportation was utilised.
According to the club, the only away fixtures undertaken by road were the Matchday 1 encounter in Ilorin, which followed the team’s pre-season camp in Abuja, as well as the Matchday 10 and Matchday 12 fixtures against Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat respectively.
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While the clarification provides details of the transportation arrangements, the management did not specifically explain the reported bus breakdowns or address the allegation that players and officials were stranded for an extended period.
The club also did not directly address the reported financial difficulties or speculation surrounding Ogunmodede’s future.
Instead, management reiterated its commitment to improving the team’s standards, welfare and overall performance, particularly after what it described as some challenging seasons in the club’s recent history.
“Our ambition is clear; to restore Kano Pillars to its glorious years and re-establish the club among the leading forces in Nigerian football,” the statement read.
The management also insisted that the players, technical crew and club officials remained united, with their attention firmly on securing better results in the remaining fixtures of the campaign.
“The unity, determination and togetherness within the team are stringer than ever before,” the statement added.
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It further appealed to supporters to remain calm and continue backing the team, insisting that the club would not allow external distractions to interfere with its objectives.
“We urge our teeming supporters to remain calm, united and steadfast in their support for the team. Our focus remains on the pitch, where results will continue to speak for us.”
The statement, however, leaves some important questions unanswered, particularly regarding the reported financial concerns and whether Ogunmodede has considered ending his association with the club.
