February 19, 2015 – Former President, Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was full of praise for officials and fans of Al Malaika Football Club of Sudan at the weekend following their 0-2 to Nigeria’s Kano Pillars FC in the first leg of their 2015 CAF Champions League fixture in Juba.
The home side showed exemplary hospitality even when it lost the match 0-2. The players and fans were not angry with Nigerians but accepted the loss in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Goals from Gambo Muhammad and former Enugu Rangers ace Christian Obiozor condemned the hosts to defeat and with a mountain to climb in the return leg at Sani Abacha Stadium next weekend.
Vice Chairman, Kano Pillars, Galadima, was full of adulation for the South Sudan champions.
“In all my years of traveling, I am yet to see anything close to the good brotherliness and hospitality that Al Malaika FC officials accorded us in Juba. They treated us like brothers and even on their own mobilized Nigerians based in Juba to come and receive us at the airport and to support us at the stadium during the match,” said Galadima, who held the reins at the NFF between 2002 and 2006.
NFF official Danlami Alanana who accompanied the Nigerian champions corroborated the assertions and also expressed pleasant surprise at the reception.
“It was like a carnival. They did not treat us as opponents. Al Malakia FC officials didn’t pull any punches with hospitality for the entire Nigerian delegation, and I am aware that officials of Kano Pillars FC are also thinking of how to reciprocate the marvelous gesture when Al Malakia visit next week.”
