Tag: Tornadoes

Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abdul Bidemi Biffo has said his side are 100% ready for top flight football action.

The promoted side will the guests of another promoted outfit, Plateau United in Saturday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 1 clash at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

Biffo said though his side will enter the title race as underdogs, their fortune will change positively as the league season progresses.

“We are quite ready for the top flight campaign just like the other teams as we have done everything right for a fulfilling and rewarding season.

“The two-week pre-season at llorin, Kwara State actually instilled the needed confidence in the players to go all out for results. I’m certain we will not disappoint the side’s teeming supporters at the end of the season.

“We like our posture at the moment as underdogs coming into the topflight as newcomers but I know for sure that everything will change for the better once league hostilities start,” said the former Giwa FC coach to supersport.com.

Biffo said his side will achieve a decent result in the NPFL matchday 1 clash against newcomers, Plateau United.

“Nothing special playing the first league match on the road as any good team can always get positive result anywhere, it’s about preparations. We are expecting favourable result against Plateau United though it will not be an easy game as they will most likely come out to revenge the NNL Super 4 defeat but we will win at the end of the day,” said the former Kogi United coach.

Tornadoes are one of the newcomers to the season’s top flight, others are hosts, Plateau United, Ikorodu United and MFM FC.

Niger Tornadoes have been given four days off after three weeks of intensive training at their pre-season camping in Ilorin.

The club’s Technical Adviser, Abdullahi Biffo who confirmed this to SportingLife said the team will resume on Wednesday for the second phase of their pre-season programme.

Biffo said the camping has helped the team to indentify the area they need to improve on.

“We are on break till Wednesday. I gave them four days off to see their family after intensive three weeks training. We are very positive and we have identified the area we need to improve on,” Biffo told SportingLife.

Promoted side, Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday declared missing the duo, Chinedu Nwaze and Lukman Mohammed from their pre-season camp in llorin, Kwara state.

Mohammed a prolific striker and Nwaze a central defender were declared missing after the side ended the pre-season warm-up match goalless against demoted side, Kwara United on Wednesday.

The duo had on Tuesday morning refused to train with teammates claiming minor injuries only to abscond later on Wednesday from the exercise.

An official of the Minna outfit, George Daniya said the players have been suspended indefinitely from the pre-season camp while further action will be taken against them.

“We are sure that they absconded from the preseason camp so this is not a report of missing persons they were with us this morning (Tuesday) at the llorin Township Stadium but after the friendly match no one sighted them.

“The management of Tornadoes is drawing attention of clubs in the country to watch out for these players and not to deal with them as doing so will be at the club’s risk,” Daniya said to supersport.com.

Daniya said it is unfortunate that the players in question who are among the oldest in the club should be involved in such unwholesome and unprofessional act.

“Tornadoes believe in the growth of players and will not in any way deny any player an opportunity for greener pastures.

“Discipline and hard work remain the main drive force of the club and we will not in any way compromise on it,” said Daniya.

Tornadoes will compete in the coming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) together with other promoted sides, Plateau United, Ikorodu United and MFM FC.

Niger Tornadoes striker, AdeKunle Issa says his side has come to stay in the Glo premier league.

Tornadoes gained promotion into the elite division after three years at the lower cadres.

The Minna-based club were relegated in 2012 from the topflight, after they lost 1-0 on the final day to then NPFL team, Rising Stars.

The former Kwara United forward, who joined Tornadoes during mid-season, played a key role in the club’s promotion success.

And he has also been tipped by soccer analysts to be among the players that will shake the Glo premier league in the coming season.

In a chat with Sportinglife, the Kwara state-born whiz-kid believes that his side can compete well with the league big wings.

“Niger Tornadoes are not new in the league. We have quality players that are ready to achieve success and make name with the club couple with the fact that we also have experienced coach in Abdullahi Biffo who know his onions,” Issa told SportingLife.

“We are have been preparing very well for the league and I can say that we are really getting things right here in Ilorin for our pre-season training session. We know we are going to face tough teams in the league but I can say that we have passed through tough time in the Nigeria National League (NNL) too.

“We will give our best when the league resume and we are not in the league to count the numbers. We want our fans to keep believing in us and pray for us too. We won’t let them down.”

•Biffo retains TA position
•Abubakar Mohammed promoted chief coach

WITH  the view of posting an impressive outing after returning to the premier league, the Management of Niger Tornadoes has approved a reshuffle in the coaching crew with hard working Abdullahi Usman Biffo retaining his position as Technical Adviser.

In a statement on Monday and made available to Sportinglife, Chairman of the club, Adamu Aliyu Mohammed said the changes are aimed at injecting new ideas with a view to making the club too hot for comfort for would be opponents when the Premier league campaign begins.

All decisions, according to him, were taken in the best interest of the club adding that management followed popular results and consulted widely to reach the decision.

Coach Bala Abubakar Mohammed was promoted from the post of assistant coach to chief coach. New entrants into the club, Bernard Christopher formerly of Black Stars FC of Minna, has been drafted to the senior team as trainer while former Tornadoes Feeders goalkeeper trainer has been promoted to goalkeeper trainer II.

Tornadoes Feeders were not left out however in the beef up, as coach Majin Mohammed was retained as chief coach Tornadoes Feeders, Babayo Ahmed was promoted to assistant coach I while Mohammed Atiku, Niger United coach has been appointed as assistant coach II for Tornadoes Feeders.

Two assistant coaches Maikudi Ayawa and Dauda Bala from the Feeders and the main team respectively were, however, redeployed to the Ministry of Sports even as former chief coach, Abdulazeez Hamza and goalkeeper trainer I, Abubakar Ndanusa have been given approval to head back to the class room for improvement courses.

Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abdullahi Usman Biffo has said his side will have themselves to blame for failing to claim the promotion ticket to the top flight.

The Minna outfit lead the pack on 20 points in the Nigeria National League ( NNL ) Division A2 three points ahead of closest challengers, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS).

Tornadoes need a win against Mighty Jets in the NNL match day 13 clash on Saturday at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna to emerge winners of the group irrespective of what happens in the last day clash at Gombe United.

Biffo said his side have the power within them to make or mar their promotion ambition depending on how the approach the clash against the Tin City landlords.

“Our destiny is in our hands, we do not need anybody’s favour or prayer to nip the sole promotion ticket.

“What we need is to claim the whole three points at stake against Mighty Jets on Saturday on our home ground then the Premier League ticket will be in our kitty notwithstanding the outcome of the last league clash at Gombe United.

“Though we quite understand that it is not over until it’s practically over but I strongly believe that generation unborn will be unkind to us if we miss the ticket by our own hands. I do not expect upset from Mighty Jets at the same time we will never underrate the side’s potential to ruffle feathers.

“They may have some scores to settle following the boardroom points we claimed over them in the first fixture clash in Jos. However, we have drummed it into the ears of the players that the match must be won first and foremost before the celebration will start.

“We have worked hard and tirelessly throughout the tedious season and cannot afford to mess up the good work at the last minute. We have done our homework perfectly well hoping that everything will turn out well on match day to end the three seasons stint in the lower division,” said the former Giwa FC coach to supersport.com.

After the weekend’s match day 13 clashes the NNL abridged league season will have one match to come to an end that will see group’s winners win automatic tickets to the Nigerian top flight.

Niger Tornadoes head coach Abdullahi Usman Biffo has said he is happy after winning his first title in his maiden season at the Nigeria National League club.

Biffo led the ambitious outfit to the Niger State FA Cup title on Sunday after his wards defeated Tornadoes Feeders 2-0 in the final at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium in Minna.

“As a coach I am very happy that I have won a title in my first year in charge of the team. I must give it up to the boys who have been hard working. I want to thank the management, coaching staffs and fans for their support,” the former Giwa FC and Kogi United gaffer told SL10.

“The boys have responded quite well and anyone keen will notice that we have adopted a new style which will help us when the NNL season gets underway on 18th April. We are now more confident with the ball and we are more organised,” Biffo explained.

He further said winning the title was important as it gives the team confidence going into the league proper.

“Winning the State FA Cup was important and it gives us some very good confidence going to the new league season. The win against our Feeders’ team on Sunday was very important and we want to continue in the same momentum,” he added.