Former board member of Kano Pillars and current member of the Kano State Football Association, Muktar Ahmad, popularly known as Zico, has attributed the club’s ongoing financial and administrative difficulties to government interference in its management structure.
Zico, who now serves in an official capacity with Barau FC, argued that the crisis currently affecting Sai Masu Gida is largely self-inflicted through poor administrative decisions at the government level.
He specifically pointed to what he described as the politicisation of appointments into the club’s management as a major turning point in its decline.
READ ON: Kano Pillars’ ₦200m debt crisis: Urgent call for Governor Abba’s intervention
According to him, placing individuals based on political loyalty rather than professional competence weakened the club’s internal structure and disrupted effective decision-making.
He further maintained that restricting key managerial positions to individuals aligned with the ruling political party created a system that prioritised politics over performance.
This, he said, has continued to haunt the club, contributing to its current financial instability and operational setbacks.
Zico added that unless appointments and governance structures are reformed to reflect professionalism and accountability rather than political considerations, the club may continue to struggle both on and off the pitch.
He also questioned what their actual wrongdoing was, pointing out that they were removed from office by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which subsequently appointed new officials.
According to him, the new management has since overseen what he described as a decline marked by crisis and inconsistency within the team.
Muktar Zico also questioned the rationale behind their dismissal, stressing that the same officials had earlier succeeded in guiding the team back to the Premier League after its relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
He argued that removing them despite that achievement was unjustifiable and counterproductive.
Zico further expressed concern over what he described as the use of political affiliation in football administration, calling the decision “sad and unfortunate” and warning that such interference often undermines continuity and stability within clubs.
Zico also highlighted the performance of his current club, where he serves on the board, noting that they finished eighth in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) despite being newcomers to the top flight.
He further pointed to the team’s impressive run in the ongoing President Federation Cup, where they eventually bowed out at the quarter-final stage, describing it as a commendable achievement for a relatively new side.
Reflecting on his broader experience in Nigerian football, Zico recalled his involvement in the development and promotion of clubs such as El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Katsina United FC, and Nasarawa United FC.
“I am also proud to be part of the management that took Barau FC to its present position, from NNL to NPFL,” he said, referring to Barau FC.
He added that his long involvement in the domestic league has given him deep knowledge of its structure and what is required for clubs to succeed at the highest level.
Zico also paid tribute to the late Ibrahim Galadima and late Abba Yola, commending their contributions to sports development not only in Kano but across Nigeria.
He also advised the government to completely remove politics from the appointment of sports administrators in the state, insisting that professionalism and competence should be the guiding principles in selecting managers.
According to him, depoliticising sports administration is the only sustainable solution to the recurring crises affecting clubs and sporting institutions in the state, stressing that “that is the only way out.”
He also urged the government to ensure timely release of funds allocated to the club, stressing that consistent financing is essential for stability and performance.
Zico lastly called for greater transparency in the handling of such funds, recommending that financial disbursements to the club be made public to promote accountability and reduce suspicion among stakeholders.
