Kano Pillars’ Coach Resigns, as Club Fails to Get Work Permit, Owes Salaries
Kano Pillars technical director, Soccoia Lionel, has resigned, saying the club violated parts of their contractual agreements, while club chairman interferes with his job.
The French tactician signed a year deal with Pillars in October 2020, but said he is being owed five months salaries and some ticket expenses running into $25, 000.
He explained that his status in Nigeria remains that of an illegal immigrant because Pillars has failed to secure him a residence permit to work freely, and that the French embassy has to demand that he returns to France.
He equally accused the chairman of Kano Pillars of interfering in his team selection, particularly prior to their game against Kwara United on Wednesday.
“I have resigned my position as technical director from Kano Pillars with immediate effect and the reason is because of the breach of my contract by Kano Pillars”, he told Nigerian Sketch late Wednesday.
“I wish the team all the very best for the future. I hope they will honour me by paying in full the sum of $25, 000 owed me plus my ticket expenses.”
Pillars media officer, Rilwanu Malikawa, however said in said in a statement on Wednesday in Kano that “The French tactician has absconded from his duty as the Technical Adviser since after the Match Day 15 fixture away to Abia Warriors which the team lost by 4-1.
According to Malikawa, the tactician tendered his resignation letter to the club two hours before Pillars’ home match against Kwara United.
“And he was not sighted today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, venue of Pillars home matches,” he explained.
The spokesman said the management of the club would study the reasons he cited for the resignation, after the match against Kwara United.
He added that the Chief Coach of the club, Ibrahim Musa, would take charge of the team pending further decisions by the management.
