After a one-nil win over Nasarawa United, Abubakar Bala, coach of Niger Tornadoes of Minna said the club will stave off relegation and maintain their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) status come next season with hard work and planning.
Jimmy Abdul scored the lone goal for Tornadoes (his second in two games) on Saturday evening in a North Central derby on the Matchday 34 of the NPFL 2021/2022 season played at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, adopted homeground of the Minna based side.
Speaking after the match, Coach Abubakar said despite his team’s precarious position on the log, the victory was a tonic that has given them hope of sustaining their place in the top flight next season.
“It’s a great win and a great move towards our planned victory in our three successive North Central derbies. Following this match, we are playing the remaining 45 minutes against Lobi Stars on Wednesday then we will play Kwara United here next weekend,” Bala told the media.
“We planned and worked very hard to ensure we get the maximum points from each of the three matches. This is a good result ahead of our 45 minutes against Lobi.
“We believe if we win the three home matches and get the maximum nine points, we will be where we want to be.”
Coach Bala Nikyu of Nasarawa United, waxed philosophical in defeat, describing the loss as one of those things in football even as he spoke of plans for their next match.
“It’s not always that results will go your way, football doesn’t go as smooth as that, football is up and down”, remarked Nkiyu.
The game was a drab affair that only saw two efforts at goal by the hosts in the first half with keeper Ameh Godwin making two saves from Ahmadu Liman’s shot and Emmanuel Jonas’ free-kick.
The magical moment when Jimmy Abdul stepped up in the second half, collected the ball from a teammate, dribbled into a good position and took a swerving shot that Ameh was never going to stop to give his side the lead.
Abdul’s goal, the only one in the game meant Niger Tornadoe are now 15th on the log with 40 points just ahead of Lobi Stars and Heartland on goals difference.
