The Ikon Allah Boys produced a scintillating performance to the delight of their traveling supporters and big dignitaries at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja in a win against Shooting Stars to move up the lander on the NPFL log.
The two teams started the encounter on a sound footing, pressing for the opener, in the early minutes, but as the game wears on Tornadoes seized control and were duly rewarded when Usule Martins put his team ahead on the half hour mark, after a good team play, as he capitalized on Ahmadu Liman’s well placed pass, to shoot beyond Shooting Stars goalie for his second goal of the season.
Earlier before the goal was scored, Niger Tornadoes goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi Jimoh suffered an injury when he miscalculated and ran into Abiodun Adebayo in an attempt to get on the ball, forcing the hosts to make an early change as he came off for George Michael.
Second half resumed with the host looking the more determined to pick maximum points as two changes were quickly effected with Wisdom Magbisa replacing Peter Momoh, while Shamsudeen Hashim came in for Yahaya Adamu.
The second goal arrived after series of attacks by the host when young and enterprising Munir Idris capitalized on a goal mouth scramble to hit a thunderous shot passed Shootings goalkeeper and throw the entire stadium into wild jubilation.
All efforts by Shooting Stars to reduce the tally proved abortive.
Mohammed Hussaini was outstanding at the back, he has proved a bargain buy.
(Won Man Of The Match Award)
Ahmadu Liman yet again proved he is a player for the big occasion as he dominated play from the midfield.
Abiodun Adebayo was rock solid as always, with another commanding display at the heart of the defense.
Musa Wakili is turning out to be a monster in his new role as a holding midfielder.
GENERALLY A SPIRITED TEAM PERFORMANCE.
Post Match Interview:
Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Technical Adviser, Niger Tornadoes.
About the win:
“A big win, a wake up victory for the team, this will change the fortune our season, the victory will give the boys more confidence – that yes they can do it; we won’t relax, we will work very hard and go into the next match with every positiveness to get something out of it.”
About playing in Abuja:
“You can see that this is the first match we have won three points with two goals, we are looking forward to a better luck in the next two matches after then we will decide.”
Substitution:
19′ Lucky Abdullahi Jimoh Out,
George Michael In.
50′ Peter Momoh Out,
Wisdom Magbisa In.
Yahaya Adamu Out,
Shamsudeen Hashim.
75′ Munir Idris Out,
Oche Josiah In.
Bookings:
Jacob John 53′
Munir Idris 59′
Wisdom Magbisa 67′
Musa Wakili 88′
Up Next
Gombe United Vs Niger Tornadoes
Garba Idris
Idris Dantala
