The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tornadoes

  • Tornadoes’ NPFL stay a reality’

    Tornadoes’ NPFL stay a reality’

    NIGER Tornadoes winger, Wilfred Angel Ammeh has said his side top-flight stay is steadily becoming a reality with the heartwarming win against Warri Wolves.

    The Minna outfit defeated the Seasiders 2-0 in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 25 clash at adopted home, Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

    Ammeh said his side will be taking the confidence to Rivers United to chance earning their first away points in the on-going league season.

    “As newcomers our first target is to maintain the top-flight status quo at the end of the on-going league season as any other gain will be considered a plus.

    “Right now the dream of NPFL stay is steadily becoming a reality with the convincing win against Warri Wolves.

    “I can tell you that we are now nursing the dream of finishing the debut campaign within the top half bracket.

    “The win against Wolves is a huge boost we will take to Rivers United in Port Harcourt to chance another five-star performance.

    “You know we are yet to claim a point on the road in the season so far so we are positive of ending the search at Rivers United.

    “We lost the rare chance to pick away point at Nasarawa United and now we are back to winning ways. We hope the next attempt at Rivers United will yield the desired result,” said Ammeh to supersport.com.

    The NPFL newcomers are 11th on the Nigerian top-flight log on 32 points from 23 matches.

  • MFM will go for broke against Tornadoes – Onuwa

    MFM will go for broke against Tornadoes – Onuwa

    MFM FC midfielder Chukwuka Onuwa Emmanuel has told AfricanFootball.com they hope to beat visiting Niger Tornadoes today in continuation of the Nigeria league after they were held at home by champions Enyimba in midweek.

    “The match against Enyimba is gone now, we are looking forward to great game against Tornadoes, victory is what we target and we will go for it,” the petite Onuwa told AfricanFootball.com

    The mercurial midfielder revealed he was disappointed they failed to beat champions Enyimba at home as they played out a goalless draw at the Agege Stadium in a Week 16 game of the NPFL.

    “Well, it’s a game of football where three results, win, draw or loss are possible but I am not happy because we dropped points at home, but nevertheless playing a team like Enyimba, either home or away, and not losing is not a very bad result,” he reasoned.

     

  • Tornadoes hail Enyimba despite defeat

    Tornadoes hail Enyimba despite defeat

    In a show of sportsmanship Niger Tornadoes of Minna have given Enyimba a pat on the back for being a good host in Sunday’s league tie  at the Umuahia Township Stadium

    The highly entertaining match ended 2-1 in favour of Paul  Aigbogun led Enyimba who pulled an impressive away win against Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium few days before the Umuahia showdown.

    Tornadoes who were enterprising  in the match left no one in doubt that they enjoyed the professional approach of their hosts, comportment of the fans and the general friendly atmosphere that surrounded the match

    “”Congratulations Enyimba it was a tough and massive game but you came as victor. Thanks for your hospitality “the Minna landlords dished out via the club’s twitter handle @NigerTornadoes.

    Hard fighting Tornadoes held their host to a 1-1 draw at half time before Ike ThankGod who is gradually turning into a goal machine for Enyimba restored the team’s lead which was maintained till the end of 90 minutes and three minutes added time.

    Tornadoes midfielder, Bolaji Adeyemo who grabbed the equalizer before the end of the first half, almost got a brace but missed a goal bound header by whiskers.

    Table toppers Rangers International maintained their position despite being held to a 1-1 draw by 3SC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu on Sunday.

    The flying Antelopes have garnered 28 points in 15 matches just a point ahead of Pillars who have earned 27 points in 15 matches.

  • My target is to score 25 goals, says Tornadoes’ Gata

    My target is to score 25 goals, says Tornadoes’ Gata

    Niger Tornadoes’ top striker,Ismail Gata believes he can score 25 goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season.

    Gata, who tops the goals chart with seven goals, stated that he’s hoping to score goals in every match to meet his season target.

    “I hope to stay fit and score goals in every match I play. I’m a striker and my duty in the team is to convert those chances and I’m hopeful that I’ll continue to score goals consistently,” he added.

    “The team spirit is splendid and that tantamount to everyone playing for each other.

    “My target this season is to score 25 goals and I know too well that it’s achievable. I will always do my best to help my team secure a win and also increase my goals tally.”

  • ABIA WARRIORS 2-0 NIGER TORNADOES:Olowo calls Tornadoes’ tie cheap

    ABIA WARRIORS 2-0 NIGER TORNADOES:Olowo calls Tornadoes’ tie cheap

    Abia Warriors defender, Emmanuel Olowo has said his side deserved the emphatic victory against newcomers, Niger Tornadoes.

    The Warriors defeated the Minna outfit 2-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 11 clash concluded on Monday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    The match was discontinued on Sunday after a downpour rendered the pitch unplayable with the home side one goal in front through Godwin Effiong.

    At the resumed game on Monday the brother and top striker, Ndifreke Effiong scored the match winner to hand his side the vital three points at stake.

    Olowo said his side prepared quite well expecting difficult challenge from the NPFL newcomers but that the encounter turned out greatly easy for the Warriors.

    “I will not consider Niger Tornadoes good side on matchday as they were hardly settled throughout the encounter. We went into the match expecting tough challenge but at the end of the encounter we realised the game was the cheapest so far in the league race.

    “Definitely, we outplayed the opponents and ably deserved to win even with a wider goal margin. We are happy with the win as it has greatly helped us to narrow down the gap at the summit to just a point behind leaders, Enugu Rangers.

    “The win is certain to further boost our confidence going into the oriental derby clash at champions, Enyimba. Although the encounter is unlikely to hold at the weekend due to Enyimba’s unfinished CAF Champions League clash at the Tunisian side, Etoile Sportive du Sahel in Sousse, Tunisia.

    “However, we are going to profit from the win whenever we are to face our next opponents,” said the former Heartland strongman to supersport.com.

     

  • Akwa Utd target win against Tornadoes

    Akwa Utd target win against Tornadoes

    •Promise Keepers’ trio to miss tie

    Akwa United have stated that they are condemned to beat Niger

    Tornadoes today in the NPFL Match Day 11 tie at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo to win back their fans after their home loss to Abia Warriors last Wednesday.

    The Promise Keepers were unable to keep rampant Abia Warriors at bay and despite going halftime a goal up, the team still lost 2-1 to their visitors from Umuahia at the end of the contest.

    Speaking with SportingLife, the head coach of the team, Maurice Cooreman revealed that they have put their home loss to Abia Warriors behind them.

    He said they would approach their home tie with Niger Tornadoes with all seriousness and ensure they pick all points to add to their points tally on the league table.

    Meanwhile, Akwa United will face Tornadoes without three of their first team regulars who are not available owing to various reasons.

    Cooreman told SportingLife that Adio Yusuf is still struggling with the knee injury he copped against Plateau United and that the defensive midfielder would be re-assessed when they return from their NPFL Match Day 12 to Lobi Stars in Makurdi.

    He also expressed doubts at the availability of Godspower Igudia who is also nursing a knee injury while Harrison Ibukun has been released to travel home to sort out his domestic issues.

    Akwa United are seventh on the log with 15 points from 10 matches.

  • Adebayo expects Niger Tornadoes’ response

    Niger Tornadoes’s Abiodun Adebayo believes the team have identified their mistakes from their slim defeat against Abia Warriors, and are ready to respond in their next Nigeria Professional Football League fixture at home to Sunshine Stars.

    The Minna-based outfit suffered an unfortunate 1-0 loss against Kennedy Boboye’s side in the NPFL last weekend, but will have a chance to redeem themselves against the Owena Waves.

    “We were close after taking them all the way in a tension-soaked match in Umuahia. As a team I think we dealt well with Abia Warriors and we were just unlucky that we let in a late goal but I think we handled them very well,” Adebayo told Goal.

    “When you suffer a setback, the best thing is to pick up the pieces and look ahead. The future holds great prospects for us. Against Sunshine Stars, we will continue to try to improve on last weekend’s performance because we can do better.”

  • Tornadoes’ Biffo calls Giwa FC lucky

    Tornadoes’ Biffo calls Giwa FC lucky

    Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abdul Usman Biffo has said the Tin City side, Giwa FC.

    The newly promoted side were forced to 1-1 draw by the Jos Elephant in midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 2 clash at adopted ground, Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi State.

    Lukman Mohammed scored the match opener at the dot of 45th minute for the home side while Sallau Ibrahim levelled the score for the Jos side in the 64th minute.

    Biffo said his side wholly outplayed Giwa FC to deserve the whole three points in the encounter.

    “We outplayed Giwa FC in every department of the game to ably deserve the whole three points in the match. I think Giwa FC were the biggest gainers on matchday and outright lucky to go home with a point.

    “I do not want to be seen complaining quite early in the day but the league will be enjoyable should the League Management Company (LMC) pay close attention on the referees to avoid unsavoury situation where  some of them give undue advantage to some teams as it happened today (Wednesday) against Giwa FC.

    “We still have problems just like any other side taking full advantage of their chances. We could have comfortably wrapped up the game if we used  our chances.

    “However, I commend my wards for their sterling performances though we are working hard to get everything right. The league is wide open we will head off to Enugu hopeful to claim our first away three points at Enugu Rangers,” said the former Giwa FC and Kogi United coach to supersport.com.

    The Minna outfit will be the guests of Enugu Rangers in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 3 clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

  • Aftermath of Bauchi defeat: Tornadoes vow to cage 3SC in Lokoja

    Aftermath of Bauchi defeat: Tornadoes vow to cage 3SC in Lokoja

    Fresh from the bruises of  the 2-1 defeat  in the hands of  Wikki Tourist of Bauchi at the weekend, Niger Tornadoes have declared operation cage 3sc in Lokoja as the Minna side who have been using the Conference Town as their home ground prepare to  tackle the  Oluyole Warriors today.

    Tornadoes goal monger Ismaila Gata who revealed the plan of the team vowed to stop the visitors from picking a point in the match 8 showdown.

    Gata, who has scored four goals in five  appearances for Tornadoes, confessed that the team is sad especially after  throwing away a  0-1 lead in Bauchi in Matchday 7 which gave  Wikki an edge to come from behind to earn a  2-1 victory

    The players, according to him, are determined to wreck the Ibadan based side to return smiles on the faces of their fans who may have been disappointed by the Bauchi flop .

    “The Bauchi tie is one we should have won because we shot into the lead before losing grip. We want to make amends so 3Sc should forget about getting a point in Lokoja,” he said.

    The former Kwara United ace revealed that the players sat down to review last week’s performance and decided to keep mistakes at arms length.

    “We have been playing good football, the management of the club is solidly behind us, and we must put smiles on their faces as well as the entire Nigerlites. We know how passionate the people of Niger State are about the club. We will make sure 3SC leave Lokoja empty handed, that is our resolve”, he said.

    He, however, appealed to the supporters of the club to have faith in  them especially now that they have found their rhythm, assuring that soon they will start picking points from away matches. Tornadoes are presently 15 on the log and will after today’s match  travel at the weekend  to Umauhia for Matchday 9 against Abia Warriors.

  • Plateau, Tornadoes a grudge tie, says Aliko

    Plateau, Tornadoes a grudge tie, says Aliko

    Niger Tornadoes captain and goalkeeper, Mustapha Aliko has said his side are expecting a grudge match against newly promoted side, Plateau United.

    The two promoted sides will kick off the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season today at the Tin City fortress, Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

    Both sides clashed in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four final in Abuja with the Minna-based side coming out from the onslaught victorious.

    Aliko said his side will strive to avoid defeat at Plateau United in their debut match in the Nigerian top flight.

    “It is certain to be a derby and revenge match as Plateau United will come all out to make amend the NNL Super 4 final match loss to us in Abuja last year.

    “I know the painful defeat will be fresh in their minds when both sides line up for the NPFL matchday 1 clash on Saturday in Jos.

    “However, we are ready to pull another surprise at their expense with the quality of players in our fold right now. I think we have a better squad at the moment than the side that defeated them in the NNL Super 4 final clash.

    “I quite understand that the encounter will be difficult but our aim is to claim an outright victory or worst case scenario a draw. We have vowed to avoid defeat in our debut in the top flight no matter the challenges as defeat will dampen our morale going into the next matches,” said Aliko to supersport.com.

    Tornadoes are one of the promoted sides to the top flight others are Plateau United, Ikorodu United and MFM FC.

    The Minna outfit have adopted the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi state as their home ground because of renovation work at traditional home, Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna.