BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Following the violent attacks on players and officials during Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday, the General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, Ahmed Musa, has apologized to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.
In a heartfelt apology posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night, Musa described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable.”
This is as the former Super Eagles captain noted that the unfortunate incident does not reflect the values or proud history of the Kano-based club.
Accordingly, the Pillars General Manager extended “an unreserved apology” to the players, coaches, and supporters of Shooting Stars, as well as to the referees, league officials, and football fans who witnessed the violent scenes with “anger, shock, and disappointment.”
Musa’s statement further said, “Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for”, adding, “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.”
He said Kano Pillars’ management would cooperate fully with security agencies and league authorities to identify and punish all those involved in the attack on Shooting Stars players and match officials.
“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take a huge step internally to ensure that something like this never happens again”, Musa assured.
Speaking directly to the club’s supporters, he urged them to express their passion peacefully and responsibly, noting that true loyalty is demonstrated through “respect, passion, and discipline.”
“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.”
The former Super Eagles forward reaffirmed the club’s commitment to restoring trust, respect, and the spirit of sportsmanship.
He also extended apologies to the Nigerian football family saying, “To the NPFL, to Shooting Stars, the referees, the fans of Nigerian football, and to anyone who believes in the spirit of the game, we are sorry. 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.”
