The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tornadoes

  • Tornadoes plot bounce back against Plateau Utd

    Tornadoes plot bounce back against Plateau Utd

    Only victory will be good enough for Tornadoes when they host visiting Plateau United today at the Bako Kontogora Stadium, Minna, Niger State.

    The Technical Adviser of the side, Godwin Uwua, who gave this hint, was optimistic that the Minna Landlords are still on track depite a lone goal defeat away to Adamawa United on Wednesday in Yola.

    The former BCC lions of Gboko sweat merchant admitted that the defeat was painful but said the team had learnt to forge ahead whenever there was temporary setback.

    ”The defeat is painful, but we can’t dwell on that. We are now focused on our next match and we will ensure that we earn the three maximum points at stake.

    ”We played good football and a mis-judgement caused our defeat, but we can’t change the outcome,” he said.

    Uwua told SportingLife that with about 10 matches to go, anything could happen and that Tornadoes had ample chance to finish atop the log considering the quality and determination of the players in his team.  ‘We came with a game plan to win, but we lost through a bizarre penalty in the 52nd minute.

    “I don’t complain about referees, they are humans and can also make mistakes. The battle is still on and I’m optimistic that Tornadoes will finish top,” he said.

    Tornadoes’ spirited efforts to equalise met a brick wall in a rugged Adamawa United defence

  • Tornadoes celebrate first away win

    Tornadoes celebrate first away win

    Tornadoes defenders received a pat on the back after the side overcame challenges posed by Federal Safety to record their first away win at the Keffi Township Stadium, Wednesday.

    The duo of Ibrahim Omolayo and Chinedu Nwaeze stood their grounds as Safety did all they could to check the rampaging Minna landlords.

    With the victory, Tornadoes has secured 25 points now  placed third on the log Group A of the NNL.

    An elated Technical Adviser of Tornadoes, Godwin Koko Uwua praised the ruggedness  by his players to get the vital away point.

    Uwua added that the team will intensify its training and put more effort to get points in all their remaining matches.

    He said  the team is getting closer to it’s destination and will approach all matches with seriousness.

    The technical adviser who described the match as physical also applauded the hard fighting spirit of FRSC who incidentally are debutants of the National League. Tornadoes,  he said, will not underate any team in the remaining matches.

  • Tornadoes vow to chain Prisons

    Tornadoes vow to chain Prisons

    National league campaigners Niger Tornadoes, have vowed to cage Prisons of Abuja when both sides clash today in Minna. Tornadoes goalkeeper Nobas Omorege, who revealed the game plan, hinged his confidence on the current form of the Minna landlords, adding that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the homers claimed the three points at stake. Omorege who re-echoed Tornadoes desire to return to the elite division said the resolve among the players is to henceforth battle opponents to a standstill no matter their pedigree

    “We are in the form of our lives, we will not underrate any team whether debutants or veterans, he stated.

    Omorege who regretted that the Koko Uwua tutored side failed in the original plan to pull at least a draw against Mighty Jets of Jos in the last match, however said the controversy trailing the lone goal defeat has been put aside to ensure better focus. “The last match has been put behind, our focus now is on today’s match against Prisons,” he added.

    Tornadoes with 18 points in 12 matches are seven places below Division A leaders Wikki Tourist, while Prisons occupy bottom of the log with nine points in 12 matches. On paper, some say Tornadoes should make mince meat of the visitors. Others however maintain that anything can happen in football as every team stands a chance of converting opponents’ mistakes into advantage.

  • Tornadoes go tough on discipline

    Tornadoes go tough on discipline

    Niger Tornadoes are not only interested in earning points and getting back to the premier league but are also determined to maintain discipline in the squad. The Minna based side that failed to realise their dream of picking a point away after losing 2-0 to Kogi United last weekend, blamed Lukman Mohammed for seeing red in the encounter, insisting that the unwanted card should have been avoided with a little more caution.

    The decision, according to Tornadoes management, is not only meant to correct Lukman against a repeat, but also uphold discipline as a standing principle in the club.

    “Tornadoes are well known in the Nigerian football sector, we must not allow our name to be dragged into the mud.

    “We will continue to maintain the discipline that we have been known for,” said the club’s media officer George Daniya, adding that the ultimate aim of the club is to return to the elite class.

    Lukman, who had a yellow card prior to the battle of Lokoja, had challenged the match official forcing his being sent off. The player, Sportinglife however gathered, has since shown remorse even as the club maintains that he is one of the best, the incident not withstanding

    The team, meanwhile, is set to take on DSS FC of Kaduna at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna today even as fans of the side look forward to recording another three points while praying for the side to realise the dream of earning the first away point of the season.

  • Tornadoes seek away win against Kwara

    Tornadoes seek away win against Kwara

    Tornadoes will continue their quest for away victory today as they file out against former premier league campaigners Kwara United at the Ilorin Township stadium.

    The Minna Landlords, who are still basking in the euphoria of their 2-0 win over Ranchers Bees last weekend, believe they stand a good chance against their hosts but admitted that the tie will not be a tea party. Spokesman of the side George Daniya who spoke to Sportinglife on Friday, confirmed that the spirit in camp was high revealing that the boys had been charged by the Koko Uwua led technical crew just before departure from Minna to give the match the seriousness it deserves.

    “We are already on the way to Ilorin and we are optimistic of getting a good result. Though the match will not be cheap considering the experience of Kwara United, but we are equally experienced and equal to the task,” he enthused adding that the absence of injury worries will further serve as added advantage.

    Before the home victory against Ranchers, Tornadoes had failed in their bid to claim an away victory against FEAP in Abuja. The battle of Ilorin is seen as another opportunity for the side to attempt to earn three points on the road.

  • Tornadoes to flatten Supreme Court

    Tornadoes to flatten Supreme Court

    Niger Tornadoes coach, Hamza Azeez, has said his side are not worried confronting Nigeria National League (NNL) Division A newcomers, Supreme Court FC in the opening game of the 2013/14 season.

    Tornadoes will host the Abuja-based side at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna on Saturday.

    Azeez said though his side do not have detailed information about the visitors they will descend heavily on them with the aim of pocketing the maximum points at stake.

    “We quite appreciate the fact that there are no underdogs in football so we’ll approach the encounter same way we would against any known top rated side.

    “Our main concern is to pocket the three points, the players are anxiously waiting for the match day to descend on them with their full weights.

    “We felt completely taken aback when the kick-off date was moved further though we quickly adjusted our programme believing it’s in the best interest of the league as we’ve finalised all arrangements for the season.

    “So we’re ready to host Supreme Court FC on Saturday and they’ll be sure not to receive any mercy from our wards as we’ll be bombarding them from start to finish,” Azeez said to supersport.com.

    Azeez assured his side will contest for the promotion tickets available in the NNL Division A.

    “We’re still ruing the missed chances to return to the elite league last season we won’t want a repeat this term.

    “We’ve done our home work well believing that everything will work out perfectly to ensure we return to the Premier League at the end of the season,” Azeez enthused.

  • Uwua resumes romance with Tornadoes

    Uwua resumes romance with Tornadoes

    • Insists on promotion to elite class

    For National League campaigners Niger Tornadoes, nothing short of returning to the elite division by way of promotion this season will be good enough.

    Technical Adviser of the Minna Landlords, Godwin Koko Uwua made the submission even as he continues to knock his boys into shape ahead of the Febuary 15 kick off of the new season.

    Even before the re-scheduling of the league to the 15th of February from the earlier 25th January, 2014, the spirit in Tornadoes camp according to him has been high, noting that the players are battle ready

    He added that with the caliber of players in his camp, as well as the support of management and fans, all hands are on deck to pursue promotion, which is the main objective of all .

    ‘’I tell you, anything short of promotion will not be entertained, that is our goal.

    ‘’The boys are ready, the fans and supporters are also ready, likewise the management’’, he said.

    The former Super Eagles assistant coach said that if the league had started as earlier proposed, he would have known the position but expressed confidence that his present squad can spring a surprise .

    Uwua’s return to Tornadoes fold may come to some as a surpise as he was widely reported to have left the side just before the close of last season over disagreements involving accomodation and payment.

    Spokesman of the side, George Duniya however told Sportinglife that Uwua is in the club for good. “The coach is with us and he is doing his job, no problems,” hs said

    The former Lobi Stars sweat merchant joined the Minna-based side at the start of the 2012/2013 NNL season after the side parted ways with their former manager, Justin Tenger.

    Tornadoes ended up in the 9th position in Division A of the National league last season with 39 points in 27 matches.

  • Tornadoes to raid Premier sides

    Tornadoes to raid Premier sides

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Niger Tornadoes are poised to raid topflight sides for quality players.

    The Minna-based side which finished a distant 12th position on the NNL Division A log in the out-gone 2012/2013 season hope to conclude their weeks of screening exercise today aimed at grabbing quality players for the 2013/2014 campaign.

    An official of the side, Usman Garba said 17 players have been asked to look elsewhere for employment while the side want to shop their replacement among the top Premier League sides.

    “We would’ve concluded our players selection for the new season but for the Glo Premier League that ended on Sunday. We’ve our eyes on some experienced players we hope to engage in discussion with the aim of bringing them to our fold.

    “We’ve already declared about 17 players surplus so we want to replace them with the ones coming from the elite league as well as young talented ones.

    “Our target this term is immediate return to the Premier League and we’ve vowed not to leave any stone unturned towards achieving the dream.

    “Hopefully by Friday (today) we would’ve known our team to help us commence earnest pre-season build-up matches.

    “We’ve scaled the friendlies into batches starting with locals before proceeding to play Grade A sides.

    “We’re determined to end our tenure in the Nigeria National League in the upcoming season,” said Garba who is the Team Manager of the side to supersport.com.

    The 2013/2014 NNL season is expected to kick-off in November.

  • Tornadoes eye round of 16

    Tornadoes eye round of 16

      •Declare Operation down Plateau United 

    Nigerian National league side, Niger Tornadoes, say booking a place in the Federation Cup round of 16 is a task that must be achieved. The Minna based side face equally ambitious Plateau United in Kaduna on Wednesday in the round of 32 and are optimistic they can progress to the next stage.

    Describing Plateau United as regular bed fellows, Tornadoes predict that the tie will be full of fireworks, an indication that fans who will storm the venue to support the two sides will have a lot to cheer about.

    Spokesman of the side, Suleiman Isah captured the submission of the side ahead of the Wednesday’s showdown in a chat with SportingLife, Monday.

    “Preparation is in top gear; luckily there are no injury worries in camp. The only thing that would have been a problem is some issues concerning signing-on fees, which has been sorted out. So the boys are good to go, and our goal is to win and move to the round of 16. Plateau United are not new to us. We have met at various times in the league, we lost to them and vice versa so it is going to be an interesting challenge and hopefully we will come out tops,” he enthused

  • Tornadoes hit Kano for Giwa FC

    Niger Tornadoes take on Giwa FC today at the Kano township stadium in continuation of their quest for progress in the Nigeria national league.

    The former premier league campaigners who were recently banished to Kano, arrived the ancient city in high spirit in the hope of clinching the maximum three points at stake.

    Spokesman of the side Suleiman Isah told Sportinglife that though the tie may not be a tea party the Minna landlords are in top shape devoid of injury.

    “The boys are in high spirit and luckily there are no injury worries, we look forward to recording victory,” he enthused

    Sportinglife gathered that supporters of the club have concluded arrangement to storm Kano this morning ahead of the showdown to give their team maximum support.

    Tornadoes will however be firing from all corners if they hope to walk away with victory as there are strong indications that Giwa are fully prepared to battle to the finish.