The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Owello

  • Owello’s brace secures Tornadoes stay in top league

    Owello’s brace secures Tornadoes stay in top league

    Niger Tornadoes retained their place in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) thanks to a 3-1 win against visiting Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC (MFM FC) on Match Day 37 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja. A first half brace from Solomon Owello and Gabriel Wasa’s strike in the second half provided the result with substitute Stephen Odey netting the consolation goal for the Church Boys that dropped deeper into the relegation pool.

    Owello, whose brace in the game came from two spot kicks on the 4th and 24th minutes  was afterwards voted man-of-the- match for his overall performance against the Lagos-based side.

    After the goals, the Ifeanyi Ifeanyi-led MFM attack line lost some good scoring chances as Tornadoes goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko stood between the lines to keep a clean slate till the end of the first stanza.

    Five minutes into the resumption of the second stanza, Gabriel Wasa powered home a volley which hit the far corner of the net to increase the tally for the boys from Minna.

    The MFM players did not allow the scoreline to dampen their spirit as they kept up the fight, raiding the back line of the host.

    Their efforts yielded dividend on the 75th minute of the encounter when substitute Odey  found the back of the Tornadoes net to reduce the tally.

    It was quite a game of fair exchanges as both sides tried to outwit each other with the MFM team having the advantage to reduce the deficit but poor marksmanship in front of goals was their greatest problem.

  • Owello likes Tornadoes NPFL stay

    Owello likes Tornadoes NPFL stay

    Niger Tornadoes midfielder, Solomon Owello has said the newcomers have the muscle to maintain their top-flight status quo in the on-going season.

    The Minna outfit benched Lobi Stars 2-0 in the Nigerian top-flight matchday 33 clash at their adopted ground, the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

    Owello said the height the NPFL new entrants are operating there is no reason  to entertain fear of relegation for the Minna-based side.

    “Niger Tornadoes will certainly maintain their premier league status quo come next NPFL season. The hard fought 2-0 win against a traditional side like Lobi Stars is a huge proof. The level at which the team are playing at the moment leaves no one in doubt that fear of relegation is far away from the side.

    “There is absolutely nothing to fear as the side will get even stronger in the remaining matches on the calendar. The side are certain to end the top-flight campaign on a very strong note.

    “We are not going to relax or relent but double our efforts to ensure we amass quality points in the other matches. Something keeps telling me that we will earn the point(s) on the road before the season winds up,” said the Niger Tornadoes midfield maestro to supersport.com.

    Owello scored the match winner to  earn  the man of the match in the NPFL matchday 33 clash 2-0 win against the Pride of Benue.

  • Owello delighted to win points for Tornadoes

    Owello delighted to win points for Tornadoes

    Niger Tornadoes forward, Solomon Owello scored his first league goal this year against Abia Warriors and though he was happy to have been on the scoresheet, he was happier that the goal won his team  three points.

    The goal, his maiden goal of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, came late in the first half.

    “It is good that we won on Sunday. We played with 10 men for more than 20 minutes after Ifeanyi Okoye’s red card, but the most important thing – that we earned three points, it is important for the team,” Owello told Goal.

    “My lack of goals since my return to the league worried me, so I tried my best to fix it.”

    The goal earned  three points for Tornadoes who are 12th in the NPFL table.

    “We did it, and I’m glad I helped the team win. I believe in our power to stay in the division. We just need to continue to work hard and get good results in every game,” he said.

    Up next for Tornadoes is a match day 30 NPFL tie with Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.

  • Owello stars for Tornadoes after Norwegian stint

    Owello stars for Tornadoes after Norwegian stint

    Former Flying Eagles midfielder, Solomon Owello showed flashes of old as he returned to action for former club Niger Tornadoes at the weekend after almost a decade in Norway.

    The 27-year-old  will end up on the losing side for the Minna club after they went down 1-0 to home side Nasarawa United, but he combined well with Bolaji Adeyemo in the second half to boss the midfield.

    Owello featured for Norwegian club, IK Start from 2008 and 2015. He played 222 matches, scoring eight goals.

    Tornadoes are going through a poor patch causing them to suspend coach Abdullahi Biffo, while as many as five first-teamers did not feature against Nasarawa. They are now 15th on the table with 29 points.

  • Owello to be deployed as a striker

    Owello to be deployed as a striker

    Former Nigeria  Under-20   international Solomon Owello could be deployed as a striker this coming season, IK Start coach, Mons Ivar Mjelde, has strongly hinted ahead of their opening game in the Tippeligaen against Lillestrom.

    The 26-year-old, who is primarily an old fashioned playmaker, has been utilized in midfield in IK Start tune – up games, and has caught the eye with a string of fine performances.

    But Owello has confessed that it is taking him time to adapt to his new position, saying he often assists in defensive duties which is no longer his main responsibility.

    “Yes, of course. I’ve grown up playing there. The new role is a challenge for me,”  Owello told Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten.

    “Sometimes I want to work way back in defense, to win the ball. I must remember that I am not a central midfielder anymore.”

    The IK Start number 10 has scored 2 goals (8 assists) in 130 Premier League games.