A lot of people responded to this article when it was first published last Monday. Some sent brief comments, while others through likes.
On the other hand, one of my readers took the time and trouble to type on his computer keyboard and create this lovely contribution, which he wishes me to post without mentioning him by name.
I had intended to utilize the material in my column space, but I changed my mind because it was so sparse.
He wrote a memo to the club management boards of Kano Pillars FC and Barau FC regarding the poor performance of Kano-based football clubs during the 2025–2026 NPFL season.
Background
Both Kano Pillars and Barau FC have performed poorly in the first three matches of the first round of the 2025–2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), according to recent reports and match records.
Barau FC, which was recently promoted to the NPFL, is struggling with inexperience and adaptation, and they have only two points from three games, while Kano Pillars, despite new signings, has struggled to produce consistent results and has only managed one point from three games thus far.
Key Observations
- League Position: Both clubs are positioned near the bottom of the NPFL table.
- Inexperience: Barau FC lacks top-flight exposure, while Kano Pillars are in a rebuilding phase.
- Tactical Weakness: Poor cohesion, unsettled formations, and weak set-piece execution.
- Venue Instability: Barau’s inconsistent home venue limits crowd advantage.
- Pressure from Supporters: High fan expectations affect player morale and performance.
- Competitive Gap: Both clubs lag behind established NPFL teams in tactical and technical standards.
Recommendations
Immediate (2–4 weeks):
Simplify tactics and emphasize set-piece drills.
Standardize pre-match routines for consistency.
Introduce short sports psychology sessions to boost focus.
Develop weekly error-analysis reports for corrective training.
Medium Term (1–6 months):
Stabilize coaching leadership.
Recruit 2–3 experienced players to balance the squad.
Secure a consistent home venue to maximize fan support.
Strengthen physical conditioning and assign set-piece coaching.
Long Term (1+ seasons):
Establish youth academies and scouting systems in Kano..
Professionalize club revenue, sponsorship, and governance structures.
Employ performance analysis staff to track trends and guide recruitment.
Finally, the current poor performance of Kano Pillars and Barau FC is traceable to shared structural and tactical challenges.
With urgent implementation of the above recommendations, both clubs can stabilize results in the short term while building a sustainable framework for long-term competitiveness.
