The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tornadoes

  • Tornadoes’ Majin laments missed chances in Lafia loss

    Niger Tornadoes head coach Majin Mohammed has admitted his team paid dearly for a poor first-half display following their 2–1 defeat to Nasarawa United at the Lafia City Stadium.

    The visitors conceded two early goals before mounting a spirited second-half comeback that ultimately fell short.

    “We started the game slowly and the home team took advantage to score their goals,” Mohammed said after the match.

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    He praised his players’ response after the break, highlighting their dominance and improved attacking play following tactical changes.

    “We made some changes in the second half, dominated the game and created chances, but we could only convert one,” he added.

    Despite the defeat, Mohammed remains focused on a quick turnaround as Tornadoes prepare to host Enyimba in their next league fixture this weekend.

  • Tornadoes unveil Shimagande, three other for upcoming season

    Niger Tornadoes have unveiled four players as their new signings ahead of the 2025-26 season.

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    Terdoo Shimagande who was a torn in the flesh of the Ikon Allah Boys when he came with Heartland FC to Minna last season scoring the team’s only goal in a 2-1 loss has joined for next season while Jerry Isaac (El Kanemi Warriors), Abdullahi Isah (Kwara United), and Hussaini Abdullahi from Abia Warriors are among the latest acquisitions that will help Tornadoes to finish outside the relegation zone.

    Tornadoes escaped on the final day of last season after beating Kano Pillars in Kaduna.

  • Tornadoes are now in 12th   spot with 36 points while Insurance are 10th with 37 points.

    At the ancient city of Ibadan, Shooting Stars pipped Kwara United 1-0 to move to the sixth spot with 43 points but the Harmony Boys slipped to the 16th  spot with 32 points. They are just a point away from the drop zone with 10 games to the end of the season. Gideon Monday and Yusuff Adewale got the goals for the Oluyole Warriors in the 48th  and 88th  minutes.

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  • Tornadoes fight-back to  stun Shooting Stars

    • Ogunmodede  defends struggling Remo Stars

    Niger Tornadoes needed two second half goals to secure a home win over hard fighting Shooting Stars yesterday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 27 rescheduled tie.

    The visitors  scored first through Christian Pyagbara in the 39th  minute and held on throughout the remaining part of the first half but Tornadoes came  back strongly in the second half.

    The Minna side  then got the needed equaliser in the 76th  minute through Clinton Jephtar before Ikenna Offor’s 92nd  minute strike handed Ikon Allah Boys the three points.

    Meanwhile, Remo Stars’  head coach Daniel Ogunmodede has stated that it took his players sometime to get into the groove in their 2-0 home over Bendel Insurance on Sunday night.

    The Sky Blue Stars endured a torrid time against plucky Benin Arsenals before Adams Olamilekan and Hadi Haruna’s goals in the final 10 minutes of the game conjured up a home win which lifted them to the third spot with 45 points from 26 games.

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    “We  just make sure I got for three points. Every game comes with different situations and moments. It is what the game entails and most time we do not control over the game’s outcome. The players have control over it. That is what the players have done,” Ogunmodede told journalists.

    He continued: “We were coming into the game at the back of our loss to Shooting Stars. It was a painful loss to us. The players really wanted to get back to their winning ways. For me they were a little under pressure and during the game we realised we could go back to the top three while we were receiving information that other teams’ results were not favourable.

    “The most important thing is how they dealt with the pressure.

    “It is for tactical reasons. It is what they do in training and that is what they have been thought to do. We are happy coming up on the ladder but we know where we want to be. We keep our eyes on the target regardless of how the game ended.”

  • Mohammed praises resilient Tornadoes against Kwara United

    Mohammed praises resilient Tornadoes against Kwara United

    Niger Tornadoes acting Technical Adviser, Majin Mohammed has praised his players following a hard-earned  draw in Ilorin against Kwara United last weekend.

    Mohammed replaced erstwhile head coach, Hamza Abara who was asked to step aside over the club’s non-performance,  and  he  got a draw in his first game in charge.

    He said it was not difficult to convince the players to give their best because they were aware of the club’s unimpressive form which reached its crescendo when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Plateau United in the penultimate game.

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    “The boys have realized that the team is in danger zone and the only way to come out of the danger is to put a good flight in the next away game and that is exactly what they have shown,” Mohammed said.”Well, it’s a strategy and whatever strategy you adopt, it’s either you win, lose or draw, so it worked for us and congratulations to the boys.”

    Tornadoes will host Kano Pillars in another league tie on Thursday.

  • Breaking: Akwa United Wins 2017 AITECO Cup

    Breaking: Akwa United Wins 2017 AITECO Cup

    Carts home N25m

    Akwa United  FC have emerged champions of this year’s AITECO  Cup today after defeating Tornadoes.   The scoreline at the final whistle was 0-0 but the Promise Keepers prevailed 3-2 after penalty shoot –out to become the first winners of the captivating AITEO trophy.

    In 2015, they also won the competition which was formerly known as the Federation Cup.

    Akwa United will  now get  the cash prize of N25 million and would also be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.
    On their part, Niger Tornadoes, who eliminated defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, to make it to the Lagos final will get N10 million.

    Meanwhile, the colourful final was watched by a glittering array of eminent personalities, including Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger State), CAF President Ahmad, CAF Vice Presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi and Omari Selemani, CAF Emergency Committee members Souleman Waberi and Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Executive Committee members of NFF, chieftains of sponsors AITEO, NFF Management, Members of the Lagos State Executive Council and members of the diplomatic community.

    Victory handed Akwa United, whose goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo won both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player awards and whose Coach, Abdu Maikaba was adjudged the Best Coach, a ticket to represent Nigeria in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.

    Akwa United forward Christian Pyagbara also claimed the Top Scorer’s award with his seven goals in this year’s competition.

  • Tornadoes To Lock Horns With Akwa United In Final

    Tornadoes To Lock Horns With Akwa United In Final

    Akwa United FC defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the second leg of their AITEO Cup semi final fixture on Sunday.

    Christian Pyagbara scored the second for The Promise Keepers in the second half to lead the Top Scorer’s race with seven goals. Akwa United’s first came from Cyril Oliseme.

    The Owena Whales thought they had clinched a place in the grand finale when Franklin Sasere scored to make it 2-1, meaning they would go through on the away goals’ rule. But Super Eagles’ midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi netted a third that took the hosts into next Sunday’s final in Lagos.

    They went through on 3-2 aggregate, and will clash with Niger Tornadoes of Minna (4-3 winners over Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah in the other semi final) in the men’s final at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Sunday 15th October 2017.

  • Football is all about professionalism-Ammeh

    Football is all about professionalism-Ammeh

     

    Adjudged man-of-the match in Tornadoes 3-0 victory over MFM on match day 21 of the Nigeria Professional Football league at the weekend, Ammeh Angel Wilfred is happy with his new found form, predicting that the victory came at a time when the spirit was tilting towards a nose dive.

    Tornadoes started the game with eyes on goal as Samuel Agba well-taken volley was tipped off over the goal post by MFM goalkeeper, Nasamu Emmanuel.

    As the host continued to mount pressures and  dominate the proceedings, Ammeh  broke the deadlock in the 37th as he calmly collected a loose ball in the box of the visitors rattled the defense and took a left shot to the roof of the net that left  Nasamu helpless.

    An elated Ammeh did not however fail to lament initial lone goal loss to Kano pillars in a tie in which he believes the Minna landlords fought to the finish.

    “We were not happy that we lost in Kano and we have to return to winning ways that was why we all came out fighting hard to ensure that we get the total victory, and am happy we won.

    “Personally am happy to have scored. Incidentally it was against MFM who provided initial platform for my career but in football it is about professionalism not sentiment,” enthused the attacking midfielder who predicted that the team will continue to wax stronger as the league progresses.

    Wakili Abdullahi Musa’s brace in the 45th minute and 51st minute were enough to hand Tornadoes who are currently having Lokoja as base their first heavy victory. Tornadoes will next meet Gombe United mid week.

    On paper Tornadoes who are 7th on the log should have a jolly ride against Gombe United who are 10 places below. The match however promises to be full battle as earning an away win does not come on a platter.

  • Lawal reveals reason for Tornadoes move

    Lawal reveals reason for Tornadoes move

    Niger Tornadoes new arrival, Shittu Lawal has explained the rationale behind his exit from Akwa United.

    The defender appeared once for the Promise Keepers in the first round of the ongoing Nigerian league campaign. But believes his inclusion in the Solid Miners’ setup in the second round of the season will help propel them to the topflight title.

    “I think it’s the right time for me to move from Akwa United and I feel it’s best for me to have joined Niger Tornadoes till the end of the season,” Lawal told Goal.

    “I came here to help the team win the league, they are in a very good position and I hope to add more quality as I work hard with the rest of the team to make history.

    “It looks like a big dream but dreams do come true if only one works hard to make it happen. Personally I want to improve on my game and being at an ambitious club like Niger Tornadoes offers every player the right platform to express themselves,” he said.

    Niger Tornadoes are placed fourth on the log, four points adrift of  Plateau United.

  • Tornadoes add trio to roster

    Tornadoes add trio to roster

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Niger Tornadoes have completed the signing of Lawal Shittu, Reuben Ogbonnnaya and Samuel Agba.

    Supersport.com was informed on Wednesday by the club’s head coach Abubakar Bala that the three players have joined up with the rest of the playing personnel as they prepare for the business end of the country’s top division expected to commence next month.

    Shittu was in the books of Akwa United during the first round of the league and featured in a handful of matches for the Promise Keepers.

    Ogbonnaya previously played for El-Kanemi Warriors and Kano Pillars but has been sidelined by injury which meant he had to undergo surgery.

    The centre-back has had a trying period since 2015 when he was cut in the middle of an armed robbery incident with Kano Pillars that led to his being injured alongside Gambo Mohammed, Adamu Murtala, Ubong Ekpai and Eneji Otekpa.

    Agba switches from NPFL rivals Gombe United to Ikon Allah.

    Bala believes that the players can help them compete for a top-10 finish.

    “Our target is to finish in the top-10 for this season. The situation in which we find ourselves now is just an opportunity. We are now in fourth position, and during this mid-season (break) we have identified areas to strengthen so that we can maintain this position and if possible imnprove on it.

    “Also, where we have manpower deficiency we want to work really hard to rectify that. Some of our players have left us – Chidiebere (Ajoku) has left us and joined Wikki Tourists and we have dropped about five players too.

    “Well we have brought them (to bolster the squad) and based on good relationship,” Bala told supersport.com.

    Tornadoes have punched above their weights this term by finishing fourth with 30 points after the halfway mark in the season compared to last term when they were two points above the drop zone in 12th place at this same stage.