Kano Pillars Appoint Babaganaru as Coach

Kano Pillars have confirmed the appointment of Muhammad Babaganaru as acting technical adviser following the suspension of head coach Evans Ogenyi and his assistant Ahmed Garba Yaro after a disappointing start to the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The club announced Babaganaru’s return in an official statement on Tuesday, stating that he would assume duties immediately as the Sai Masu Gida aim to revive their struggling campaign.

“The management of Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce the appointment of Muhammad Babaganaru as the acting technical adviser of the club. He will resume with immediate effect. We wish Coach Babaganaru success in his new role as he leads the Sai Masu Gida in upcoming fixtures,”
the club’s media department said.

Babaganaru, who previously guided Pillars to back-to-back NPFL titles in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, brings a wealth of experience and familiarity with the club’s culture.

Pillars currently sit 18th on the table after eight matches, with just two wins, two draws, and four defeats. Their latest loss, a 2–1 defeat to city rivals Barau FC in a closed-door derby at the Sani Abacha Stadium, further deepened the crisis and prompted the shake-up in the technical crew.

Before Babaganaru’s return, the club had placed assistant coach Gambo Muhammad in temporary charge, assisted by goalkeeper coach Suleiman Shuaibu and junior team coach Garzali Muhammad, pending a substantive appointment.

Off the pitch, the club has also faced disciplinary challenges. Earlier this month, the NPFL fined Pillars ₦9.5 million, deducted three points, and ordered them to play their home matches in Katsina, following crowd trouble during their fixture against Shooting Stars.

With eight points from eight matches, Babaganaru’s immediate task will be to stabilize the team as they prepare to host Niger Tornadoes in Katsina, before travelling to Ikenne to face Remo Stars — a match that could define the start of his second spell in charge.