…As Home Winless Streak Persists
Mixed fortunes has tainted Niger Tornadoes’ home coming as the anticipated return to Minna after several seasons away has been marred by inconsistent results, dampening the enthusiasm of their eager home fans.
3 points from a possible 12 on home turf is simply a sad one, fans who thronged out in large numbers have been watching in disbelief. Coaches who worked day and night to ensure an improvement in performance have been left cracking their brain, all in search of a quick fix to end the bad spell.
Results away from home has taken the shine off what is obtainable at home. Only Rivers United and Remo Stars can burst better accrued points of Niger Tornadoes 7 points on the road.
Preview ↔
Niger Tornadoes players looked the more confident going into the game, the coaches were seen consulting themselves to come up with a better strategy for the crucial game; it was written on their faces, but football has other answers.
The match ↔
The Ikon Allah Boys had a disrupting first half as a result of the wind that affected their smooth movement of the ball facing the north end of the stadium but that not withstanding, many chances were created but none was taken even as the visitors sat back and intermittently launched counter attacking play.
Dazzling winger, Olawale Emmanuel was hacked down in the box early in the game but the centre referee waved play on.
Tornadoes attacking intend was hit a huge blow when Kufre Ebong sustained an injury 26th minute into the game and had to be subbed off as he made way for Jonas Emmanuel.
It was an exciting end to the first half as fans were served proper football and were seen cheering the players into the changing room in anticipation of goals galore in the second half.
The second half proceedings restarted with the visitors taking an early lead, albeit controversially.
Seiyefa Jackson headed home from a free kick in a move that saw two of Rivers United players on offside position but the arbiters thought otherwise even as Tornadoes players protested, the goal stood.
The hosts increased their attacking intensity all in a bid to restore parity, as several incursion were made into the opposition’s vital area but all efforts were thwarted by Rivers United resilient defensive discipline.
The game ended in a disappointing home defeat to the visitors from Rivers.
🗣 Majin Mohammed’s Post-Match Reaction:
“It is one of those days; sometimes, you win, draw or lose. “We played well, had our chances but couldn’t convert.”
“My opinion about the goal cannot change the result, so, referee’s decision is final.”
“We take on Katsina United next, we’ll work hard to get something out of the game.”
SUBS:↔
26′
↩Kufre Ebong
↪Jonas Emmanuel
62′
↩Papa Daniel
↪Tasiu Lawal
90′
↩Joseph Godstime
↪Rickson Mendos
UNUSED SUBS:
Yusuf Mohammed
Felix Oloye
Sadiq Razaq
Williams Sunday
Victor Awoji
Abdulrasheed Dabai
CREDIT :©Niger Tornadoes FC Media