Our first Nigeria Premier Football League away game of the season will be the first fixture of our 2023/2024 season, as we travel to Kaduna to tackle Niger Tornadoes FC.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Minna based side who were no pushovers last term, then we have everything you need to know about them:
THE HISTORY
Founded in 1977, they finished in the lower half of the Nigerian Premier League in 2005 but avoided relegation by three points.
They were however relegated from the Premier League in 2012 on goal difference after scoring 38 goals in 36 games. Thirteen of the goals were scored by Sibi Gwar who was the league’s top scorer. They won promotion again in 2015 after winning the Nigeria National League.
Niger Tornadoes were promoted back to the top division in 2015. Coach Abdullahi Biffo led them to a promotion spot which they clinched after defeating Mighty Jets F.C. 2–0.
Niger Tornadoes were runners up in the Nigerian FA Cup in 2017 after losing on penalties to Akwa United.
THE STADIUM
The Ahmadu Bello Stadium, simply referred to as ABS is a multipurpose stadium in Kaduna city, Kaduna State, Nigeria. It was designed in 1965 by the English architects Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry. The stadium has a natural grass playing surface and a capacity of 16,000 people.
The stadium hosted matches in the 1998 African Women’s Championship, 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
LAST SEASON
After Pushing hard to earn a Super 6 playoff ticket which went down to the wire, Niger Tornadoes finished in 6th place last season, just four points shy of securing the championship playoff spot.
THE MANAGER
Coach Hamza Abdulazeez Abarah was re-appointed head coach of Niger Tornadoes in July 2023.
He had a brief stint with the Ikon Allah Boys during the 2018-19 NPFL season and had previously managed Sokoto United, Plateau United, and El-Kanemi Warriors.
THE SEASON SO FAR
This season didn’t get off to the best start for Niger Tornadoes, who lost their opening league game 0-1 to Abia Warriors in Umuahia to leave them sitting 18th on the NPFL table.
The team solely will be dependent on the prowess of key players Ifeanyi Okoye, Bashir Usman, Moses Ugwu, Musa Najere and the safe hands Joshua Enaholo.
THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS
We have not lost to Niger Tornadoes in the last 5 meetings, winning 3 and drawing 2 in the process.
The last time both teams met in the NPFL, it ended 0-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna on 9th April 2023.
9th April 2023 · NPFL
Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Rivers United
24th January 2023 · NPFL
Rivers United 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
25th April 2022 · NPFL
Rivers United 3-0 Niger Tornadoes
8th January 2022 · NPFL
Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Rivers United
7th April 2019 · NPFL
Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
MATCH OVERVIEW
🏆 2023/2024 NPFL, Matchday 2
⚽ Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United
🏟️ Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna
⏱️ 4 pm
