Pillars Accuse Referees Of Favouritism

Goalkeeper Lawrence
John of Kano Pillars Football Club has accused referees at the just concluded 2014/2015 Glo Premier League Super Four Invitational Tournament of favouring the national teams in the tournament.
John, who was the stand-in captain during his team’s 1-1 draw with the national under-23 team, Dream Team VI, made the assertion at a post-match conference last week.
He said the pre-season tournament, which held at the Abuja National Stadium’s mainbowl, ought to be an open game that everyone should enjoy.
The goalkeeper insisted that the referees were fair in their officiating.
“Though we had a good game today (Wednesday), the centre referee was not fair enough.
“The Super 4 is supposed to be an open game that everyone should enjoy, but with the way it is now, it is like they (the referees) want one of the national teams to win it.
“Going by all the matches, everyone has been complaining and that is why they (football fans) were stoning the referee after the match.
“It is an embarrassment to Nigerian football because we players are ready to play the game, but they just want to spoil everything,” John said.
The match officials were pelted with objects by a group of fans as they headed to the dressing rooms after the game.
During the match, the national team canceled out Kano Pillars’ 31st minute lead through a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
But, while speaking also after the match, the Assistant Coach of Dream Team VI, Fatai Amoo, said the officiating was fair enough to allow both teams play a good game.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and the referee is the sole judge in every match, but for me, he was fair enough.
“It was good enough to allow both teams play a good game, which we did,” Amoo said. He however noted that his team was not hell bent on winning the tournament.

The coach said they rather used the tournament to get a formidable team ahead of the 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) qualifiers.
“The objective of Dream Team VI in participating in this tournament is to assess the players and give them the needed impetus for the AAG qualifiers.
“But, if eventually, we were able to emerge as the winners, it will be a plus for us. However, we are focused on building a formidable team from here,” Amoo said.
Kano Pillars used the tournament as a build-up to the 2015 CAF Champions League.
Dream Team VI on the other hand used the tournament as a build-up to the AAG qualifiers this month.
The Super 4 tournament which started on January 24 ended at the weekend.