Niger Tornadoes were lucky to run away with a point in the Matchday 34 encounter of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) against Kwara United, decided at the Main-Bowl of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna today, June 2, 2024.
Niger Tornadoes started well, but lost the initiative mid-way into the first half, as the visitors took full control of proceedings, dictating the phase with good positional play that saw Issa Gata, Emmanuel Ogbole and Alalade Wasiu creating chances, but couldn’t bury them.
Tornadoes, despite playing under relative pressure, also created chances, which brought out the better side of goalkeeper Solihu Sulaiman in goal for Kwara United.
The introduction of Deinde Ibrahim, Sadeeq Yusuf, Victor Adeoye and Shola Abdulraheem also changed situations for Kwara United, but was cautious in putting Tornadoes in check.
The second half resumed with the home team raising their game to push Kwara United back, but that only lasted for few minutes, as Issa Gata latched on a lose ball to beat two defenders. His shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, but Ibrahim Deinde, who was just introduced, was quick enough to get accurate shot at goal for the opener in the 63rd minute.
That goal increased the anxiety in Tornadoes camp, as they made two quick changes that seemed to bring them back to live, albeit temporarily, as they consistently make mistakes and wrong passes.
It took Tornadoes a spirited fight, and referees’ eight minutes additional time largesse to get the equalizer that gave them a point, which the Assistant Coach, Isiaku Iliasu Kuta described as massive.
“We planned to win the match, worked hard for it, but we couldn’t get it right. It’s a bad day for us. We almost lost it, but our resilience got us the draw. The point is much more important to us at this point. It’s massive.
Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo commended his players for playing to instruction, adding that they had targeted three points, but unfortunately, gave it away at the closing minute.
“Our target was to win the game. We scored a good goal, but unfortunately, conceded late. Niger Tornadoes doesn’t deserve the point they got from the match.
Meanwhile, Niger Tornadoes Head Coach, Majin Mohammed immediately after the match, destroyed the type of Kwara United’s bus, saying that ‘the team is owing him’.
But for the intervention of the police and some fans at the stadium, and also, the intervention of the General Manager of Kwara United, Bashir Badawiy, the tension created would have escalated beyond necessary. The destruction might also not be unconnected with the draw played by his team.
Majin was Assistant Coach of Kwara United when Coach John Obuh was in charge as Technical Adviser of the Ilorin based side. It took the intervention of spirited fans at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium to have the tyre changed, and the destroyed tyre repaired.
