Captain of Kano Pillars, Theophilus Afelokhai has said his team is indeed worthy champions of the 2011/2012 season despite losing 2-1 to Sunshine Stars in the last match of the season Friday at Dip Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode.

The former U-23 Dream V goalkeeper said Pillars worked hard enough to wrestle the crown from Dolphins and having already emerged winners before the last match of the season clearly removed the competitiveness always associated with such big games.

"That we lost to Sunshine does take any thing away from our quality. We are true champions having been declared winners even before the last match of the season", Afelokhai said.

"Sunshine is a big team no doubt but I think we couldn't have played more than we did because it appeared nothing was at stake except pride".

He added that he started dreaming the league title on the day they defeated holders, Dolphins 3-2 in Kano.
"That was one of the toughest games we played and from that moment we knew that if work harder we could win the league.

"We are now looking forward to the CAF Champions League. We have been there before and we know that we must surpass our 2009 semi final achievement", he added.