Fans attack Pillars after defeat *Want team overhauled *l’m totally confused --Tenger
By ADO SALISU, just back from Abuja
PLAYERS and coaches of Kano Pillars Football Club on Wednesday escaped what could have been a double tragedy when angry Pillars’ supporters attacked the team shortly after the team crashed out from the 2007 Coca Cola FA Cup, by lowly rated Mighty Jets of Jos, Plateau state in Abuja in front of Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts.
The encounter which was played at the Police Old Parade Ground, Abuja, saw the Mighty Jets boys send Pillars packing despite the presence of their over 100 supporters who stormed Abuja to cheer their daling team.
Mighty Jets boys who stormed the pitch with zeal and determination, looked more dangerous and well coordinated to carry the day but failed to score an early goal in the first five minutes.
However, Auwalu Muhammd's 12th minute goal proved decisive for the Jos team who dominated the match for most of the opening period with their quick passing and fine technique.
Pillars, staring elimination in the eye upped their game midway through the second half but failed to find a way past some sturdy Jets defending.
Pillars who before their departure to Abuja, along with the club management committee led by Alhaji Tukur Babangida, were paid them additional 30 percent of sign-on fees as the committee’s effort to boost their morale, did not however, show any sign of justifying their fees.
The quick intervention of the security agents and some management committee members save the players and coaches from manhandling by Pillars’ fans.
In a chat with Daily Triumph Sports, the technical adviser of Kano Pillars, Justine Tenger expressed dismay over the dismal performance of his boys, adding that ‘’l was totally confused. I don’t know what really happened with the boys.
‘’Motivation was there and we train them well but yet the boys failed us completely. I cannot blame anybody rather than the boys but something has to be done urgently to avoid further embarrassing outing in the league against Ocean Boys in Bayelsa,’’ he explained.
It was a different tale entirely for Jets bitter city rivals Plateau United, who were dumped out of the competition after losing 2-1 to Julius Berger.
Ibadan giants Shooting Stars were pushed all the way by western rivals, Sunshine Stars and needed the lottery of penalties to advance.
The finely balanced game ended 1-1 after regulation time, and 3SC triumphed 4-2 on penalties to progress to the round of 32.
In other matches, there were routine wins for the likes of Heartland, El Kanemi Warriors, Akwa United, Wikki Tourists and Julius Berger.
Heartland humiliated Nasara FC 7-0 and El Kanemi edged Ondo United 1-0. Akwa United beat Anantigha 2-1, Wikki Tourists won 3-0 against One Touch FC, Nasarawa pipped Jigawa Golden Stars 4-3 and Bussdor claimed a 2-1 victory over Nwachukwu Breed.