The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger Tornadoes FC

  • 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.

  • NPFL: Rangers Manager hails players dedication

    NPFL: Rangers Manager hails players dedication

    Rangers International FC of Enugu Team Manager, Amaobi Ezeaku, has hailed the players dedication for the goalless draw with Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna in Lokoja.

    Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday, Ezeaku expressed joy over the result saying that it was the reward for hard work.
    Ezeaku said the match was a wonderful one noting that the players came into the match with much optimism.
    “Knowing the position we occupied currently, we applied caution and even when the referee gave Tornadoes a penalty in the 3rd minute, we weren’t bothered.
    “In my assessment of the game, I will say it is a wonderful game, good officiating and beautiful display by both teams.
    “I am giving kudos to my players because they made us proud, getting a draw in away match in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not easy,” he said.
    He said that in football, resurgence is always difficult but in our case, it just came up and I will say that it is the Lords doing.
    “We went to Maiduguri and played out 1-1 draw against El-Kanemi Warriors and in Lokoja; we draw 0-0, so I feel excited.
    “It is a wonderful thing that all sports lovers in Enugu are now beginning to get relief that Rangers are getting back to where they belong in Nigerian League,” he said.
    Ezeaku urged the NPFL to assess   improvements on players performance and officiating.
    He also urged Rangers players to keep the flag flying saying that the state government, the management and the technical crew are solidly behind them.
    He expressed confidence that the players are gradually coming  back, compared to the period the result was not coming their way.
    “Though, we are still looking forward to grab an away victory, but with the current two results in our away matches, I believe, it is not far from us.
    “Gradually, we will get there, but all attention is now turned to FC Ifeanyi Uba who is our next opponent in Enugu.
    “Remember, that they beat us 1-0 in the first leg and a resounding victory in Enugu in the forthcoming second leg will be so amazing,” he said.
    NAN reports that Rangers moved   to the 13th position in the league table after the draw in Lokoja with 32 points from 25 matches.

  • Niger Tornadoes FC commiserates with families of electrocuted fans

    The management of Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna has condoled with the families of 30 football fans electrocuted in a viewing centre on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River.

    The club’s Media Officer, Mr George Daniya, said in a statement on Saturday in Minna that the chairman of the club, Adamu Aliyu, described the incident as a dark moment in the history of Nigerian football.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred when an electric cable fell on a house where the late fans gathered to view a match.

    The match was a Europa League club quarter-final between Manchester United and Anderlecht.

    It said that Aliyu sympathised with the families of the victims, saying that the tragedy was an act of God which could not be questioned.

    The statement urged the families to bear the irreparable loss and take solace in God, who gives and takes life at the appointed time.

    It said the entire Niger Tornadoes FC was saddened by the incident and prayed that such a situation did not recur.

    It added that the incident had caused a mourning period in the football industry and called on the affected clubs, Manchester United and Anderlecht, to honour their deceased fans.

    “We all know how passionate Nigerians are about football and Manchester United has a strong following base here.

    “It is sad we lost these passionate football enthusiasts, we will continue to remember them in our prayers that God will grant them eternal rest,” the statement said.

     

  • Niger Tornadoes humble Feeders

    Niger Tornadoes humble Feeders

    • Set for collision against Road safety

    By Julius Okorie

    Niger Tornadoes FC has dethroned its feeder team with a 3-1 triumph at the state FA cup final played at the Bako Kontagora Memorial, Minna, Sunday.

    Mohammed Ndayebo capitalised on the defensive error of Tornadoes Feeder side in the 24th minute to open score for the NNL side.

    Tornadoes preparing ahead of their week 14 match against FRSC Abuja for Keffi Wednesday rested most of their first team players.

    A good combination of play allowed Aliyu Jandi to have a grip to calmly beat their Feeder’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Osagie for the second goal in the 33rd minute.

    Suleiman Abdusalam put back the Feeder team in the 78th minute but their hard fighting spirit was short lived with the 80th minute goal scored by Babawo Ibrahim.

    Tornadoes Coach, Hamza Abdulazeez said both teams gave account of themselves.

    Coach Azeez said that though the main stream Tornadoes had won, the feeder were not a push over, adding that both teams would be good representatives of the state in the Federation Cup.

    He commended the challenge put forward by the feeder as they demonstrated good football, adding that the team will go far in the FA Cup.