Kano Pillars midfielder Nzube Anaezemba says he feels ‘so great’ after helping the Sai Masu Gida claim a first-ever Aiteo Cup title – the third in his career – describing the feat as a ‘great achievement’.

Anaezemba, who previously won the competition twice with Enyimba in 2013 and 2014, helped Kano Pillars land their maiden Aiteo Cup title with a 4-3 penalty shootout win against Niger Tornadoes at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Sunday.

“I feel so great winning the Aiteo Cup,” the former Rivers United star told busybuddiesng.com in an exclusive chat. “This is my third time of winning it. I won it with Enyimba two times and coming to Kano Pillars to break the jinx and winning it again, I think it is a very great achievement for me as a player, and I really thank God for that.”

However, the former Enyimba man praised the 2000 champions Tornadoes for giving Pillars a tough fight in the final, admitting that the win did not come on a platter.

“Concerning the game yesterday (Sunday), I wouldn’t underrate Niger Tornadoes because they are a very great team. They gave us a fight because it wasn’t easy. As you can see, the game ended goalless and straight to penalties.

“So, the match was very difficult. Tornadoes are not a small club, despite the fact that they were relegated to the second division last season. I think yesterday was a good match for us,” he said.

Success for Anaezemba and Kano Pillars in this year’s Aiteo Cup comes as a huge relief after the 4-time NPFL champions threw away a 3-goal lead in last year’s finale against Rangers to eventually lose on penalties.