The Nigeria Professional Football League’s governing body, the League Management Company (LMC) has granted Kano Pillars permission to play their games at their home ground, Sani Abacha Stadium, following the Minister of Sports’ directive prohibiting NPFL teams from using MKO Abiola Stadium to play matches.
It will be recalled that Pillars had been playing their home league matches at the stadium for more than a month as part of the club’s penalty for fan violence during their matchday 30 home game against Katsina United last month.
But the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Sunday Dare issued an order on Monday forbidding NPFL from hosting matches at MKO Abiola Stadium following a complaint by Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro about the poor state of the playing pitch.
The minister’s order stated that the stadium will henceforth be solely used for matches pertaining to the national teams.
The letter signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, stated that the company has received formal assurances from the Nigeria Police Force, Kano command that adequate security will be provided whenever Pillars play in the stadium.
LMC further said the games will be played behind closed doors, adding that for the purpose of clarity, only accredited persons would be allowed into the stadium while the Match Day 33 clash against Wikki Tourists will be used to access the level of compliance by the club.
