Kano Pillars Defeat Al-Malakia Away In South Sudan In Flying Start To CAF Champuons League

By Chris Nomjov

Nigerian Premier League champions, Kano Pillars, on Saturday, started their 2015 CAF Champions League adventure on a stellar note, by defeating South Sudanese side Al-Malakia FC 2-0 in a preliminary round tie of the League.

Strikes  from Gambo Mohammed and Christian Obiozor ensured that Kano Pillars claimed a 2-0 away victory in the first leg tie and got their campaign off to a flying start in Africa biggest club football tournament.

The three-time Glo Premier League champions, went into the first leg match on the back of two impressive friendly matches against Hearts of Oak and Ghana’s under-23 team.

The hosts gave their all in the first half, buoyed by a small but vocal crowd, but the reigning Kano-based had goalkeeper Theophilus Afeokhai in fine form, as the dogged defence of the Nigerian champions held firm, to end the half goalless.

However, in the second half, Okey Emordi’s team emerged from the dressing room, firing on all cylinders. Four minutes into the restart, Gambo Mohammed opened the scoring for the visitors, to hand Pillars a needed advantage.

Then, in the 65th minute, Pillars made it 2-0 through Christian Obiozor, with a well taken goal, to boost their hopes of progressing to the next round.

The away win, Pillars’ first in the Champions League since 2011, against Liberian side Mighty Barolle; puts them in a very comfortable position for the second leg.

Pillars will host the South Sudanese side in the return leg at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, in a fortnight.