The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tornadoes

  • Niger Tornadoes’ Wassa pleased with performance

    After an impressive performance for Niger Tornadoes in his first season in the top flight, Gabriel Wassa is sure of better things in the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    “For every success and achievement in life all glory goes to God. Mine isn’t different from others. My performance won’t have been possible without the help of Tornadoes’ coaches, management team mates, supporters and my family. On a general level, I think we gave a good account of ourselves and performed beyond the imagination of league followers.

    “Next season will be better for us in terms of challenging for honours with the big teams,” Wassa told Goal.

  • Tornadoes will be in top five next season, says Salihu

    Tornadoes will be in top five next season, says Salihu

    Niger Tornadoes  goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko Salihu believed there was an improvement in the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League season, but admited more work needed to be done.

    “I think this season we did well but if we work hard more on our defence I’ll be happy, and we need to also work more as a team when it comes to the latter,” Salihu told Goal.

    “And there’s no doubt that next season we will be in the top five. I’m delighted that we survived relegation but this now means that we have to work even harder in the next season and we need to collect points very early because fighting relegation is an uncomfortable feeling.”

    Tornadoes scored 40 and conceded 42 goals in the 2016 NPFL season to place 11th on the log.

    The Minna-based outfit drew 1-1 with Kano Pillars in their final match of the season at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

  • Madu relishes win over Tornadoes

    Madu relishes win over Tornadoes

    Heartland head coach, Ramson Madu has said mother luck actually smiled on his side in the top-flight clash against newcomers, Niger Tornadoes.

    The Naze Millionaires benched the Minna outfit 2-0 in Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) make-up matchday 36 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

    Captain and centre back, Chinedu Efugh scored the match opener in the 40th minute while Chidiebere Ajoku grabbed the winner in the 72nd minute to hand the Owerri outfit the vital three points.

    Madu said the hard fought victory against Tornadoes is certain to calm frayed nerves as they steady themselves to confront former champions, Kano Pillars at the weekend.

    “Today (Wednesday) luck was truly on our side to win with two unreplied goals after we missed several chances at goal.

    “The players still play match under intense pressure and tension largely from the supporters due to our uncomfortable position on the log.

    “The injury and shock from the auto accident in Maiduguri are yet to heal properly among the players.

    “However, the victory is sure to help our course greatly as well as go a long way to reduce the build-up pressure and tension.

    “The win is good for the players mental and psychology well-being and concentration for the next clash against Kano Pillars.

    “We will savour the win for a moment as we quickly head back to the trenches to plan toward earning another maximum points against Pillars on Sunday,” said Madu to supersport.com.

    The win against the Pyramid City side takes Heartland total earnings to 40 points, 17 behind leaders and oriental neighbours, Enugu Rangers.

  • Tornadoes won’t underrate opponents-Adebayo

    Tornadoes won’t underrate opponents-Adebayo

    Niger Tornadoes centre-back Abiodun Adebayo expects a tough encounter when his side lock horns with Heartland at the Dan Anyiam Stadium this weekend.

    The Naze Millionaires are neck-deep in relegation troubles this term, and Adebayo believes the Owerri-based outfit will be no pushovers.

    “This is certain to be another tough match for us,” Adebayo told Goal.

    In my opinion, Heartland aren’t a pushover.

    “They’ve been a little bit unfortunate with a couple of their results, which drew them into the relegation zone, so we are expecting probably one of the toughest games of our season.

    “They are a team that’s fighting to get out of the bottom spot, they don’t deserve to be there either.

    “This is also probably their last chance to get out of there, so we’ve really gotta be up to it.

    “We won’t go down either,” he concluded.

    Tornadoes head out for a win as they seek to keep their survival chances afloat, having amassed 45 points to sit in 11th place on the table.

     

  • Tornadoes will beat Enyimba, says Aliko

    Tornadoes will beat Enyimba, says Aliko

    Niger Tornadoes skipper Mustapha Salihu Aliko has stated that he is fully-charged for his side’s Week 35 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game with Enyimba FC this weekend.

    Tornadoes are in 13th spot on the NPFL standings with 42 points from 32 matches.

    The Ikon Allah Boys who are fighting to be in the division welcome the reigning league champions to the Confluence Stadium on Saturday.

    “I’m looking forward to the match because Enyimba beat us 1-0 in the first leg,” Aliko told Goal.

    “We need to show them that we aren’t are a bad side. More so, we are in dire need of the full points at stake. We are in a delicate spot at the moment. Victory for us on Saturday will help improve our points and position,” he added.

  • Tornadoes game was tough, says Hussaini

    Tornadoes game was tough, says Hussaini

    El Kanemi Warriors central defender, Mohammed Hussaini has revealed that Niger Tornadoes gave his team a good fight despite winning 2-0 during Sunday’s week 34 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tie at the El Kanemi Warriors Stadium in Maiduguri.

    Hussaini scored the second goal that earned Borno Armies maximum three points in the clash after Chinedu Ihenacho had netted the first goal early in the match. He has now scored three goals this season.

    In a chat with SportingLife, the leggy defender expressed delight to have scored against his town club.

    “Niger Tornadoes match was a very tough match for us. The officiating was 50-50 and Niger Tornadoes are my home town team that was why the match was a little bit difficult for us, but I found the game very easy because I knew most of their players. We have played together when we were playing at the grassroots level and I thank God that I scored against them,” Hussaini told SportingLife.

    The former Frimpong Football Academy of Minna player said he and his team mates will prepare well for their next game against Heartland FC of Owerri in Maiduguri.

    “We are preparing for our next home game against Heartland and by the special grace of God we will make sure we beat Heartland in Maiduguri which will encourage us for the game against Kano Pillars. By the special grace of God I am hopeful that at the end of the season we will finish among the top five,” he said.

  • 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.

  • Coach Bala praises Niger Tornadoes win against Abia Warriors

    Coach Bala praises Niger Tornadoes win against Abia Warriors

    NIGER  Tornadoes’ Abubakar Bala was pleased with his side’s response after conceding an early goal in their 2-1 win against Abia Warriors.

    The tactician admitted that it was a difficult game but was happy with the positive approach  by his side at the Confluence Stadium.

    “I’ve said it before that it was going to be a very difficult game,” Bala told Goal.

    “We played well in the opening six minutes but never penetrated enough and it was unfortunate to concede an early goal.

    “Despite the early setback, we kept possession, didn’t panic and kept pushing and were rewarded with the three points which was crucial for us.

    “We were one man down after Okoye’s red card. It might not have been a flawless performance but it wasn’t a bad one.

    “At the end of the day I think we were the better side and scored two goals and had full control of the 90 minutes.”

  • Adetunji mocks Tornadoes

    Sunday Adetunji has told AfricanFootball.com he hopes to score more goals after he fired a first-half brace for Shooting Stars to beat Niger Tornadoes 3-1 and ease their relegation worries.

    Former El Kanemi Warriors striker, Adetunji has now scored six goals in the league this season.

    He nodded home a fine cross from the left for his first goal in the 32nd minute, before he completed his brace five minutes later when he dashed past his marker and then the goalkeeper before smashing home.

    “I feel great that I am back scoring goals again,” he told AfricanFootball.com.

    “This will boost my confidence to score more goals and help my team.”

  • Birthday boy Ovoke dismantles Tornadoes

    Bernard Ovoke celebrated his birthday in style with the match winner for Rivers United against visiting Niger Tornadoes in continuation of the Nigeria league on Sunday.

    Ovoke cut in from the right and curled home an unstoppable effort past the despairing Niger Tornadoes goal keeper, Mustapha Aliko in the 22nd minute.

    It turned out to be the only goal of the contest as United remained in third spot on the NPFL table, two points adrift of the leaders, Wikki Tourists.

    The Port Harcourt club have now amassed 41 points from 24 matches, while Tornadoes, with 32 points from 24 matches occupy 13th place on the standings.

    Ovoke and Guy Kuemian missed chances to extend the lead of United in the first half, but it was the visitors who had the best chance of an exciting opening period.

    Clumsy defending by Olalekan Gabriel gifted the Minna club a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Gabriel Wassa dragged his effort wide from 12 yards off Sunday Rotimi’s left hand post.

    Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between in the second half.

    Ovoke wasted the best chance of the half as he shot straight at Aliko in the 54th minute.

    Wassa hit the side-netting late on as the visitors tried to claim an equaliser.