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Tag: Abubakar Bala

  • Kwara Utd coach resigns

    Kwara United FC of Ilorin coach Abubakar Bala, says he has resigned his position with immediate effect.

    Bala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin that he took the decision for personal reasons and not because of the team’s poor run in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League.

    The former Niger Tornadoes of Minna gaffer said the club had taken care of his welfare and that of the players except for the two months salaries they were being owed.

    “I don’t talk about what happened between me and my previous clubs; it is an administrative matter and I always love to leave it at that.

    “I wanted to use Kwara United to help my career and propel myself but if the management are not ready, there is no need to stay,” Bala said.

    Read Also: Kwara Utd players refuse to resume training 

    He told NAN that he would rest for a while before joining the U-20 national team for the World Cup.

    The Secretary of Kwara United FC, Malam Ibrahim Bako, said he had been informed that Bala had resigned but had not received any official letter to that effect.

    “I’m told he has resigned, this hasn’t been communicated to me officially, although I heard he has the letter somewhere,” Bako said.

    The Kwara United scribe also said he had not spoken to the coach since the news broke out.

    NAN recalls that Kwara United FC has not won any of its last three league games.

    The club lost at home to Rangers International of Enugu 2-1 in a rescheduled fixture and another disappointing 3-0 outing with Enyimba International FC of Aba.

    They also drew their last two home matches goalless with Insurance of Benin and Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

    Kwara United have struggled in the ongoing season and they are deep in the relegation waters with 20 points from 17 matches.

    Kwara United patted ways with its former technical adviser, John Obuh following a not too impressive performance in the league in March 2018.

    The club then appointed Bala on March 13, 2018.

    Bala had earlier been relieved of his duties at Niger Tornadoes in 2017.

    He had qualified Niger Tornadoes for 2017 Aiteo Cup final and lost on penalties to Akwa United in the finals played at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

    NAN

     

  • I have a game plan to beat Katsina United – Tornadoes Coach

    I have a game plan to beat Katsina United – Tornadoes Coach

    Coach Abubakar Bala of Niger Tornadoes FC, Minna on Tuesday said that the club would win their match against Katsina United on Wednesday, if his players adhere to instructions.

    Bala, who made this known to newsmen in Minna, said he  was confident that the club would get a good result in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in Katsina.

    He told reporters “”I have a game plan to win the match if my players stick to what I told them.’’

    The Coach urged his players to put behind their goalless draw against Rangers International of Enugu at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja on June 18.

    “I told my players to remain focused, as Rangers match has come and gone. We need to concentrate and get something out of our match with Katsina United.

    “We are not in Katsina for revenge mission, it ended 1-1 in the  first stanza of the league in Lokoja but we are here to play football and I know that is exactly what we are going to do.

    “It is going to be a tough and good match, my players know this and we are not going to take the match lightly.

    “We know what is involved. So we are doing all that it will take for us to return to winning ways,’’ he said.

    He, however, said that the team was not under any  pressure to get a continental ticket, but if the opportunity comes they would gladly grab it.

    Bala advised his boys not to put themselves under  an unnecessary pressure of getting continental ticket, saying that they should enjoy every game as they may end with a continental slot after the league.

    The Coach further said that he has developed a three-year plan for Niger Tornadoes if the coaching crew was given the opportunity to continue after this season.

    He explained that the current season was for stability, second season to create a philosophy of play and the third season was to win the league and get a continental ticket.

    “For now I know that some of my players are really working hard to make it to the top.

    “I like their courage and spirit, but I want them to be calm all opportunities they seek for will come their way,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) further reports that Tornadoes occupies the 10th position on the current leagle table  with 37 points in 25 matches, while Katsina United is 15th with 32 point from same number of matches.

  • Ossy strikes late to give ABS FC 2-1 win over Tornadoes

    Ossy strikes late to give ABS FC 2-1 win over Tornadoes

    Martin Ossy came from the bench to help ABS Football Club of Ilorin FC beat hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna 2-1.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match day 22 2016/2017 NPFL encounter was played on Sunday in Ilorin at the Kwara Stadium.

    Abdullahi Wakili and Samuel Agba started the game brightly for the visitors as they were threatening Ernest Governor and Ibrahim Omolayo in the defence for the Saraki Boys.
    The Saraki Boys confidence grew gradually into the game as Adeshina Gata became the star of the match whilst his movement forward dangerous on most occasions.

    Mohammed fired into the roof of the net after a swift turn to put his team ahead 1-0, his 5th of the season and it ended his 17th match goal drought.

    After the goal, the visitors responded very well and were almost rewarded for it when Adewale Yinka in goal for ABS had to punch away Shittu Lawal’s free kick to corner kick.

    The hosts survived a scare in the 38th minute when they struggled to clear their box and Lawal almost capitalised on it.

    With just a few seconds to go for the break, Lukman Hameed tripped Samuel Agba in his own box and the centre referee wasted no time in pointing for the spot kick.

    Abdullahi Wakili stepped forward to take it and made no mistake to make it 1-1 in spite of Adewale’s attempt to watch over the ball.

    The Saraki Boys responded to half time team talk than their visitors did as they were always bombarding Niger Tornadoes defence, with Gata always giving them a tough time.

    The introduction of Martin Ossy and Abubakar Chindo at the restart of the game was the turning point for the Saraki Boys as Tornadoes players found it difficult to cope with the blistering pace of the duo.

    Mohammed was wasteful in front of goals in the second half as Gata’s supplies upfront was not wisely utilised by his forwards.

    Ossy then arrived at the right time to connect Gata’s pass, dribbling past Kazeem Yekeen before tucking home a beautiful finish.

    Speaking after the game, ABS FC coach, Henry Makinwa, said it was a hard earned victory against a very good team.

    “You did everything tactically but they are not working for you. I had to send Ossy in to join Mohammed and gave him some instructions which he executed very well.

    “I am happy that Mohammed has broken the jinx today, and I hope he can now continue to score” Makinwa said.

    His counterpart in Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala, said they were in Ilorin for real business and they almost got a good result.

    “We almost got a point but we lost concentration in the late minutes.

    “However, we have noticed a few of our mistakes and we are going to work on them before we face Rivers United on Wednesday in Lokoja,” Bala said.

    ABS FC will now make a trip to Nnewi for Match Day 23 against FC IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday.

     

  • CAF coaching course thrills Tornadoes coach

    CAF coaching course thrills Tornadoes coach

    Periodic training has been identified as the best way of producing coaches who can hold their own at both local and international arena.  Coach of Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala who made the submission, opined that changing techniques in the round leather game and indeed in sports in general makes it essential that coaches update themselves periodically while putting fresh lessons learnt into practice.

    Bala who is one of the coaches currently undergoing Confederation of African Football CAF License B Coaching course in Abuja thanked the club management for giving him the opportunity to attend the course which he said will definitely impact on his job and desire to take the Minna landlords to greater heights.

    “I really appreciate the management of the club; this is one of the best I have worked with in my coaching career, they know the value of capacity building, just before the commencement of the 2016/2017 NPFL season two of my assistant coaches went to NIS to upgrade their knowledge courtesy of  the club. I am optimistic that the knowledge learnt will be quite useful,” he enthused

    Tornadoes who have so far garnered 24 points in 14 matches will host Sunshine Stars on Sunday.  Coach Bala had earlier expressed confidence in the ability of this assistance to rise to the occasion in his absence

    “I have capable assistants and I am sure they can rise to the occasion in my absence,” he added

    The CAF License B Course commenced on Monday is expected to last for two weeks.

  • Abubakar Bala: Tornadoes close to NPFL perfection

    Abubakar Bala: Tornadoes close to NPFL perfection

    Niger Tornadoes head coach Abubakar Bala has said that he has almost achieved the target set for the side in the ongoing top-flight.

    “The major target for us coaches is to stabilise the team and make sure that half a chance is converted into goal and we are steadily and progressively heading to perfection. We have been able to cement a tactics for both away and home matches and we have adhered to it strictly irrespective of the opposition.

    “Right now the opportunity is there for any player to score goal irrespective of one’s position and I can tell comfortably that the competition and hunger are there at the moment. We do not restrict the job of scoring to strikers or particular player alone as anyone can go ahead to score.

    “That was the dummy we used against Enyimba as they paid undue attention on our leading scorer, Chidiebere Ajoku while debutant, Sadiq Suleiman came as a surprise to score the match winner. We will take the antics to league leaders, Plateau United to chance at least a draw.

    “That’s not to say that if the chance presents itself for an outright win we will not grab it with both hands. We hope to consolidate the home win against Enyimba at the Jos landlords, Plateau United,” said the former FC Lokoja coach to supersport.com.

    The Ikoh Allah will return to the trenches on Sunday to confront leaders, Plateau United in a top-flight matchday 9 clash at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

  • Bala blames loss of concentration, poor marksmanship for defeat to MFM 

    Bala blames loss of concentration, poor marksmanship for defeat to MFM 

    Niger Tornadoes Head Coach, Abubakar Bala has blamed his team’s 3-0 defeat to MFM FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day one encounter on loss of concentration and poor marksmanship on the part of the players.

    Three first half goals from Olatunbosun Sikiru, Odey Stephen and Adekunle Adegboyega were enough for the Olukoya Boys to record its first home win of the season in a match decided at the ‘Soccer Temple’, Agege Township Stadium, Lagos on Sunday.

    In a chat with NationSport after the encounter, Bala who felt disappointed losing by such margin, said the team will work on the lapses noticed before their next game against Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC on Wednesday.

    “We never bargained for this, we did not expect a wide margin loss, but that is football for you. At times you prepare for something and you get another thing at the end of the day. We never expected this result but we have taken it in good faith.

    “The most important thing is that we have identified our weak areas and we need to work very hard on them.

    “We have been able to identify two major problems, loss of concentration in the midfield and the reaction whenever we lose the ball. We don’t react well and fast whenever we lose the ball. We allowed them to make use of the ball faster and get into our finishing area on time. We need to correct that especially in area of zonal-marking.

    “If you look at the game, we were playing well from the the first minutes up till the 15th minute.  We lost two clear chances during that period and immediately after we lost the second chance they got their first goal. It was loss of concentration, poor marksmanship from our midfielder that cost us the game.

    “So we will work on those lapses that we have identified before our next game against ABS”, he assured NationSport.