The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger Tornadoes

  • Muhammed praises focused Tornadoes

    Muhammed praises focused Tornadoes

    Niger Tornadoes head coach, Majin Muhammed has praised his wards for ensuring they avoided a home defeat against revenge seeking Bendel Insurance in a topflight game played last weekend in Minna.

    Jonas Emmanuel and Vincent Okeke scored for either sides of the second half to share the spoils for the Ikon Allah Boys and the Edo Arsenals, despite the host playing the better part of the game with a man short.

    The Ikon Allah Boys suffered a setback when goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo was sent off in the 13th minute after a clumsy challenge on a Bendel Insurance player.

    Tornadoes had beaten Insurance 3-1 in Benin towards the end of  last season and Muhammed asserted that he was pleased his players did not allow their visitors to get all points in spite of playing over 75 minutes with a man disadvantage.

    “We appreciate God for a point is better than nothing. We knew it was going to be very hard for us knowing well that the visitors were still sweating from their 17 years home unbeaten record we broke last season, so they came with the mind set to cause an upset here,” Muhammed told journalists.

    Read Also: NFF names Eguavoen as caretaker coach for Super Eagles

    “The early minute red card disrupted our match plan. But it’s part of the game. however, it was a good game despite playing with a man down. The boys gave a good account of themselves, created chances, scored a goal but couldn’t defend it.

    “Above all the league is improving, the referees are doing well, that’s why teams are picking points away from home.” We will also go out and hunt for more points.”

    “We are not under any form of pressure, at least, whatever we lose here, God always complement it for us when we go away.”

  • Continental: Enyimba lose opener Pillars win Tornadoes fall to Santoba

     

    Nigeria’s CAF champions league flag bearers Enyimba lost by a lone goal in their opener against Rahimo of Burkina Faso on Saturday in Ouagadougou.

    The peoples Elephants had started the match in high spirit, taking the war to their opponents all their way.

    Tenacity of the two time Champions League winners however was called to question in the 30th minute when the hosts through a rampaging Zonon shot into the lead. Zonon had prior to the goal become a tormentor in chief forcing Enyimba goalkeeper Afelokhai to dive full length to make a couple of saves. Enyimba returned in the second half mounting pressures and hoping to cancel the lone goal with Guera and Mbaoma making massive impacts and putting the hosts under serious pressure.

    Olatunji was thrown into the battle in place Farouk all in an effort to make a last minute push to turn the table but that was not to be as Rahimo stood their ground gingered by their supporters till the final whistle.

    Reminiscent of the of Late Bob Marley’s track “He who fights and run away lives to fight another day” Enyimba via their verified twitter handle hailed their performance away while vowing to double effort to turn the table during the return leg at the  Aba township stadium August 22.

    While Enyimba have cause to be hopeful of a table turning return leg, same cannot be said of Niger Tornadoes competing in the CAF Confederation Cup.  The Minna landlords lost in Kaduna on Saturday to Santoba of Guinea.

    The visitors who appear to be in a hurry to sing victory song, shot into the lead in the 37th minute of the game and maintained their lead till the closing of first half. On resumption of hostilities in the second half Tornadoes came out smoking and their increased pressure earned a penalty which Godwin Zaki did not hesitate to convert.

    The equaliser did not however last the distance as the visitors reclaimed the lead to leave final score line at 2-1.

    Tornadoes will have to dig deeper to reverse their fortune away to Conakry August 22.

    Niger Tornadoes lost 2-1 to Santoba inKaduna

    Kano Pillars competing in the CAF Champions league however sang resounding victory song after overcoming very hard fighting Ashati Kotoko 3-2 in Kano.

    Kano pillars battle Ashanti Kotoko of Ghana

    Despite the victory Pillars will have to work extremely hard as the Ghanaian side fought really hard an indication that they will not be a walk in the park in the return leg in Kumasi.

  • 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

     

  • Tornadoes to pay late Isah’s Salary till end of season

     

    Nigeria Premier League contenders Niger Tornadoes have promised to pay the salary of late defender Hussaini Isah till the end of the season.

    Chairman of the club Mallam Mustapha Abubakar Gawu who made the promise during a media chat on Tuesday, said the club has settled the outstanding arrears of the left back which has to do mainly with match bonuses.

    “It will also interest you to know that out of the magnanimity of the management committee, we have approved that his salary of N200, 000 monthly should continue to be paid to the family to the end of the season thereafter we will sit and decide the next step on the matter,” he said.

    He explained that the deceased had an outstanding seven-match bonus amounting to N160, 000 which the club has given to the family.

    According to him, the family of late Isah will need support, and so the club has also  presented them  a token of N300, 000 as well  as his May salary even before salary due date .

    “We know Hussaini to be the breadwinner of his family and we know that the family will need support from all friends and well-wishers at this period.

    “We paid his outstanding match bonuses for seven matches. You know he got married recently, therefore the family needs support at this time of grief”, he said.

    He described the deceased as a disciplined, humble and enterprising young man who will be greatly missed..

    Niger State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Emmanuel Duza Babur on his part, disclosed that the state government was planning to donate its own goodwill package to the family of late Isah. Discussion on the issue according to him is ongoing   and will be made public when concluded.

    Late Hussaini Isah who got married about two months ago and was hit by a motorcyclist in Minna, on Monday, 14th May 2018, he left behind a wife and aged parent, his twin brother Hassan, and as well as other relatives.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sani-Bello to Tornadoes: Win title for Hussaini Isah. 

     

    *describes player’s death as a huge blow

    Niger state governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has charged Niger Tornadoes  to go all out and lift the league title this year as a mark of respect for late defender Hussaini Isah.

    The Governor who described the death of the very dependable defender as a big blow to the club and the state in general, noted that fighting to the finish to clinch the title is the only way the late Isah can be imortalised.

    The incident that claimed the life of the player according to the governor is not only unfortunate but indeed regrettable

    Governor Sani -Bello in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Jibrin Baba Ndace said the painful death of the footballer dealt a big blow on football industry in the country.

    “I watched him live on Sunday at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in the match between our own team, Niger Tornadoes and Kwara United FC. He was a good defender and he played well. So his death came as a surprise to us. We are very saddened to hear of his sudden demise. This is a lesson to every one of us that death can come at anytime.”

    “On behalf of Government and people of Niger State, the numerous supporters of Niger Tornadoes we extend our sympathy to his family for the loss of this great footballer”.

    The Governor then prayed God to give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Hussaini Isah died on Monday after motorcycle accident along Maitumbi Road, Minna.

    The 19 year old incidentally was in action on Sunday when the Minna landlords played out a 1-1 draw against Kwara United in the Nigeria Professional Football league.

    Hussaini Isah’s death is coming less than five months after another impressive player in the NPFL Chinedu Udoji who played for both Enyimba and Kano Pillars respectively, passed on following a ghastly accident.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tornadoes eye six points in two matches

    Tornadoes eye six points in two matches

     

    Niger Tornadoes will be hoping for  maximum six points from two matches when they host FC Ifeanyi Ubah in mathday 2 of the new Premier league season on Wednesday.

    Both teams last met during the 2017 Aiteo Cup semi-final where the ikon Allah boys defeated the Anambra based side  5-3 on aggregate.

    Tornadoes flagged off the season with a victory over Kwara United at the Ilorin Township stadium on Sunday while mid week opponents  FC Ifeanyi Ubah also won their game of the new season beating newly promoted Yobe Desert Stars at home

    Technical Adviser Eramus Onu who took charge of the squad barely ten days to the commencement of the league disclosed that the team he met on ground boosted by the infusion of Rueben Ogbonnanya, Ghanaian International Erick Frimpong who joined from Enyimba  and Ibrahim Babawo quickly adopted to his philosophy which he added is likely to produce even better exploits as the league progresses.

    “We only trained two times before we traveled to Abuja to play the Abuja All stars which comprises of European players and what we learnt during the friendly matches are things we hope will come handy as we confront teams in the course of the season,”

    “I’m proud of the lads for their understanding on pitch, they are real professionals. my target is to defeat our opponents, recall that we drew twice last season in Port Harcourt and Jos and a victory this time will be a plus,” he added

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tornadoes supporters mobilise for new season

    Tornadoes supporters mobilise for new season

     

     

    If there is one thing Niger Tornadoes Football Club Supporters Club has resolved to do, it is to increase the tempo of support for the Minna based side.

    The supporters apparently not the mood to talk too much but walk the talk, paid a solidarity visit to the newly appointed Chairman of Tornadoes Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha Gawu at the club’s Conference Hall in Minna on Monday. Recall that the state government recently dissolved the former club and reconstituted new one headed by Alhaji Gawu with mandate to ensure that the club gets all the needed support to post impressive outing in the new season which begins January 14.

    The new chairman had earlier inspected the Bako Kontagora stadium with some officials of the League management board ahead of the new season.

    Tornadoes prior to this time have been playing their home matches at the Conference Stadium in Lokoja the Kogi state capital while the Bako Kontagora stadium was undergoing renovation.  There are however strong indications that the Minna landlords will return to base in the new season.

    Tornadoes begin the new campaign against kwara United at the Ilorin Township Stadium on January `14.

    Niger Tornadoes, finished 11th on the log last season, with 54 points in 38 matches. After missing an opportunity to emerge FA Cup champions by whiskers last season losing narrowly to Akwa United, are hoping to   re-double effort with a view to surpassing achievements made last season.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ezeji hails Tornadoes despite defeat

    Ezeji hails Tornadoes despite defeat

     

    Aiteo Cup runners up Niger Tornadoes have been given a pat on the back despite finals defeat by Akwa United, Sunday at the Agege Stadium.

    The Minna based side currently based in Lokoja, got the commendation from veteran of the Nigerian Premier league, Victor Ezeji.  The former Enyimba striker opined that Tornadoes performed above expectation adding that they actually caged Akwa United who had been tipped by some analysts ahead of the tie to have a jolly ride.

    “I believe Tornadoes had a good game. They succeeded in caging their opponents and were just unlucky not to have won,” he said.

    The former Dolphins and Sharks forward while congratulating Akwa United for emerging champions however noted that all the teams representing the country at the continental level need to work harder as continental challenge is not a tea party.

    “There is always room for improvement so teams going to the continent must prepare well to hold their own at that level,” he submitted.

    Chairman of Akwa United Paul Bassey had earlier described the team’s victory as an act of God revealing that a point during the penalty shootout the odds appeared to favour Tornadoes who unfortunately recorded a costly miss that turned the table.

    League champions Plateau United and runners up MFM will be flying the Nation’s flag next season in the CAF Champions league while two time champions league winners Enyimba and Akwa United will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Wikki Tourist and FC Ifeanyi Ubah who flew the flag in the continent in the just ended season all booked early exit in the championships.

    Akwa United who are winning the Federation cup for the second time after their first triumph in 2015 will be hoping to make a better impact next season at the CAF Confederation Cup. Three out of the last five Federation Cup finals have ended in penalties. They include the 2013 final which ended 5-4 in favour of Enyimba after 2-2 draw against Warri Wolves and extra time, the 2016 edition which ended 5-4 in favour of Ifeanyi Ubah after 0-0 draw with Nasarawa United.

     

     

     

  • Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Jubilant supporters of Akwa United FC on Sunday in Lagos took to the streets of Agege and its environs to celebrate their team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes in the AITEO finals.

    The supporters had immediately after the match, took over the streets gleefully dancing, singing and blowing their trumpets to savour the epic win over the Northern opposition, who gave them a run for their money.

    Akwa United emerged winners of the maiden AITEO Cup in the finals played at Agege Township Stadium.

    The Abdul Makaiba-tutored team laboured to a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria’s oldest cup after the regulation time ended in a deadlock.

    Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom had led an unprecedented crowd to cheer their darling team to victory at the 2017 AITEO Cup, formerly Federation Cup.

    The recent win by Akwa United marked the second time the club will clinch the cup having won it in 2015.

    Akwa United went home with N25 million prize and will be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Niger Tornadoes runners-up, who defeated defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah are also N10 million richer.

    Speaking with NAN, a supporter, Ifem Eden, described the team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes as a well deserved one.

    “This is a tough game for us which we need to celebrate. We are happy with the kind of support we get from our governor.

    “We are very pleased with the win and the support we got from the Lagos fans,” he said.

    Another supporter, Godson Emmanuel, said with the victory the team had made a statement in Nigeria’s football.

    “This is our second win in the space of two years and we are happy; the support from Lagos fans is tremendous, maybe our people here must have prepared the ground for us.”

    NAN

  • Alteo Cup final: Tornadoes get Ebenezer boost

    Alteo Cup final: Tornadoes get Ebenezer boost

     

    Niger Tornadoes have received a huge boost following the return to full fitness of Ebenezer Adeyemi ahead of the Alteo cup final on Sunday at the Agege Stadium.

    Adeyemi was injured in the semi final tie against FC IfeanyiUbah fueling fears that he might miss the final showdown against Akwa United.  But The Nation was told that the impressive forward has returned to training and is itching to go for the kill.

    “The spirit in camp is very high and there are not injury worries.  Ebenezer Adeyemi who was injured in the last match has recovered and back in training.  We will be in Lokoja for two days to tidy up before heading for Lagos” spokesman of the club George Duniya confirmed in the telephone chat Tuesday.

    Tornadoes booked a place the final after edging out cup holders FC Ifeanyi ubah on 4-3 aggregate.

    The Minna club won the semi-final first leg 4-2 in Lokoja at the weekend, before they lost the return leg 1-0 in Nnewi on Thursday.

    The Minna landlords who clinched the title in 2000 beating Rangers international by a lone goal in that year’s final will be hoping to re-enact the feat 17 years later.

    The battle at the Temple promises to be full of fireworks as contenders Akwa united are no strangers to the championship. The Uyo based side got the better side of Sunshine Stars in the semi finals, beating the Akure side 3-1 just a day after Super Eagles clinched world cup victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium uyo.

    The 2015 champions are eager to claim the trophy once more.  At the 2015 edition Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 2-1.

    Now relegated premiership side 3SC have the highest number of wins the Federation cup having won a record 8 times, defunct Lagos Railways won the title  7 times while Rangers International have won 5 times.