Kano Pillars Reappoint Babaganaru as Acting Technical Adviser After Poor League Start

Kano Pillars have named Muhammad Babaganaru as their 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.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the club confirmed Babaganaru’s return and announced that he would assume his duties immediately as the four-time NPFL champions seek 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 stated.



Babaganaru is no stranger to the club, having previously guided Pillars to back-to-back league titles in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. His return is expected to bring stability, discipline, and renewed confidence to the team, which currently sits 18th on the NPFL table with just eight points from eight matches—two wins, two draws, and four losses.

The team’s recent 2–1 defeat to city rivals Barau FC in a closed-door derby at the Sani Abacha Stadium intensified pressure on the technical crew and ultimately led to Ogenyi’s suspension.

Before Babaganaru’s appointment, the club had temporarily placed assistant coach Gambo Muhammad in charge, assisted by goalkeeping coach Suleiman Shuaibu and youth coach Garzali Muhammad.

Beyond on-field struggles, Pillars have also faced disciplinary challenges this season. Earlier in October, the NPFL fined the club ₦9.5 million, deducted three points, and ordered them to play their home games in Katsina following crowd trouble during their match against Shooting Stars.

Babaganaru’s first assignment will be a crucial home fixture against Niger Tornadoes in Katsina, followed by a tough away game against Remo Stars in Ikenne—matches that could define the start of his latest spell in charge of the Sai Masu Gida.