Kano Pillars are hoping they can overcome the mighty Al Ahly
Nigeria's Kano Pillars have drafted in a foreign coach to help preparations for their African Champions League third-round tie with Al Ahly.
Slovenian Iva Sahj will work alongside the head coach and former Ghanaian international Malik Jabir.
It is part of the local government's bid to establish Pillars as a major force in African football.
The club's chairman told the BBC that Sahj will help improve the team's technical skills.
"We believe in the ability of Iva Sahj and we are glad we finally got him," Tukur Babangida told BBC Sport on Thursday.
"He will have great impact on the technical strength of the club, starting from the Al Ahly game on Saturday.
"I can (already) see signs of what he is bringing to the club."
Babangida said the club are hoping Sahj's appointment will help them make an impact across the continent.
"He is not just here for the Champions League but the domestic league as well, because we have massive expectations from the fans and people of Kano," he said.
"We will be facing quality oppositions in Africa as well as in Nigeria, and what we need is someone with his ability.
"We've never doubted the ability of our other coaches, but additional knowledge and technical input will only take us in that upward curve we crave."
Kano Pillars are in fifth place in the Nigerian league, thirteen points behind the leaders Bayelsa but with a game in hand.
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