Kano Pillars Football Club General Manager Ahmed Musa has issued a full apology following the shocking violence during their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Shooting Stars(3SC) on Sunday evening.
Former Super Eagles captain who is also a player of the club wasn’t dressed for the game but was on the touchline as Pillars drew on match day 8.
“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or the proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa said.
He emphasised that the club has always stood for “community, passion, and respect, values that must never be overshadowed by violence or indiscipline,” adding:
“As a club with deep roots and loyal supporters, we are expected to set an example of fairness and honour on and off the pitch. Sadly, today, we fell far short of that standard.”
Kano Pillars General Manager Ahmed Musa on the touchline before chaos erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium.Photo Credit: Pillars/X
Musa tendered an unreserved apology to the players, coaches, officials, and supporters of Shooting Stars Sports Club, to match referees and league officials, to the NPFL board and its partners, and to football fans across Nigeria. He said:
“I know how painful it must have been to witness something so damaging to our game, and I am deeply, deeply sorry.
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Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for.
Musa has scored 1 goals in 4 games this season in the NPFL. Photo Credit: Kano Pillars/X
Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away, we must confront it head-on.”
Musa also outlined steps the club will take: “I assure everyone that Kano Pillars FC will work closely with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible for this shameful act, and they will face the full consequences of their actions. We understand that apologies alone are not enough.
Words must be followed by action. We would take a huge step internally to ensure that something like this never happens again.”
Musa. Photo Credit: X
Addressing the club’s supporters in his statement, Musa said: “Kano Pillars is a proud club with a rich legacy, and you are the heartbeat of this club.
But true support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us.
We must remind the world that our love for this club can be powerful without being destructive, that our passion can lift its image, not stain it.”
He concluded: “Once again, on behalf of Kano Pillars Football Club, I offer my most heartfelt and unreserved apology to everyone affected.
FULL STATEMENT. Image Credit: NPFLNEWS/X
To the NPFL, to Shooting Stars, to the referees, to the fans of Nigerian football, and to anyone who believes in the spirit of the game, we are sorry.
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I am sorry. We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria.”
