Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Kano Pillars, have unveiled their new players ahead of the upcoming football season.
Isma’eel Abba Tangalashi announced the unveiling of the players in unusual locations: an ancient textile market and a 15th Century former royal residence, both of which have no direct links to football, on the club’s social media pages.
“We unveiled our new central defender, Mukhtar Muhammed, from El-Kanemi Warriors, at the historic Gidan Makama, a 15th-century royal residence turned museum that stands as a proud symbol of Kano’s rich cultural heritage,” Tangalashi wrote.
Following Mukhtar’s unveiling, the club also announced the arrival of Rangers forward, Chiedozie Jude Okorie. His transition from a legacy club in one geopolitical region to another in a distant region has certainly caught attention. “It has always been my dream to play for one of the biggest clubs in Nigeria, and it is an honour for me to join such a historic club,” Okorie stated in response to the Kano Pillars media team, reflecting on Pillars’ formidable hold on the NPFL title over the years.
Okorie is not just any player; he understands the importance of making an impact within his profession and knows the value of associations. While Rangers ranks among the top clubs with a rich pedigree, Okorie is also keen to play alongside notable players. “I want to help restore the club’s glory.
I believe that playing with big names like Ahmed Musa, Rabiu Ali, and Shehu Abdullahi will certainly help me achieve my dream of lifting the league title with this great club,” he added, expressing motivation for making the long journey from Enugu to Kano.
In another significant effort to promote the cultural heritage of ancient Kano City through football, Tangalashi announced, “Watch as we unveil our new centre forward, Chiedozie Jude Okorie (signed from Rangers Int’l), at Kano’s historic Kurmi Market, founded in the 15th century by Muhammad Rumfa as a major Trans-Saharan trade hub.” He explained that “Kurmi” is derived from the indigenous Hausa word meaning “forest.”
Okorie, a graduate of Godfrey Okoye University, joined Rangers from a Nationwide League One (NLO) team, Ingas FC. He scored four goals for Rangers in his first season and also won the title with the Flying Antelopes during that debut season.
