Former Kano Pillars    striker, Tochukwu Esom fears that reigning champions Pillars may well bid bye to any hope of retaining the title. Esom played for Pillars in the last campaign but got injured along the way, which effectively ruled him out of further participation in the season.

His contract with Pillars ended with the season and after holding out for a new deal, the club told him he was surplus to their requirements. The decision made him to relocate to his place of birth, Asaba in Delta State, where he is gradually picking up the pieces of his career as he attempts to rebound into the top flight.

And speaking to Sports Vanguard, Esom who is currently training with the Umu Eze football side, who won the 2015 Asagba of Asaba football tournament held last weekend at the Federal College of Education (Technical), is tipping Enyimba to take the title away from Pillars.

“With the way things are going now, I don’t see any way that Kano Pillars can retain the title. They have won it three times and it appears the law of diminishing return has caught up with them. It is really not easy winning the league, not to talk of doing it three times.

“I also think the hunger is no longer there because the players have seen all that is to be seen on the domestic front and want to do something else. Their lack of hunger has opened up the space for the likes of Sunshine Stars and Enyimba, who I feel are the ones likely to win the title.

“I feel Enyimba have an edge over Sunshine Stars because of their experience and the quality of players in their fold. Both teams are tied on 36 points and the difference  at the end of the day will be the team with the tradition, experience and greater desire. It all points to an interesting battle between these two teams”, added Esom.