Shamsudeen inspires Tornadoes to secure Ogunjobi Gold Cup semifinal spot

 

Never say die spirit of Shamsudeen Hashim was the inspiration Niger Tornadoes needed as they advanced to the semifinals of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup after they saw off FC Ebedie 3-1 in their Group B game.

The game at the FC Ebedei Stadium was won within 17 minutes of the first half and the experience and work rate of the Ikon Allah Boys played a key role as they bounced off from the defeat to Shooting Stars to secure their second three points in the pre-season tournament.

FC Ebedei took the fight to the NPFL side, and in the 12th minute, they shocked Tornadoes scoring the first goal of the game through Isa Musa.

The lanky striker pounced on a loose ball from Tornadoes sloppy defending to tap into the net for the Oliseh Boys.

In the 16th minute, Wakilu Abudulahi thought he had drawn even for Tornadoes with a half volley from Nojeem Olayinka's cross inside the FC Ebedei box, only for the match official to rule his goal out as off-side.

Four minutes later, Shamsudeen Hashim powered past FC Ebedei's the backline to make it 1-1 with his ferocious low drive shot that found the bottom right corner of Mark Ugboh's goal.

Martins Usule then doubled the lead for Tornadoes 13 minutes later scoring via a clinical assist from Hasim.

FC Ebedei were then punished for not defending well in their box as Ahmadu Liman put the game beyond their reach scoring Tornadoes third goal in the 37th minute.

The second half was more or less as child's play for Tornadoes as they took the 45 minutes to school players of FC Ebedei.

Tornadoes could meet any of MFM FC, Remo Stars or FC Yobo in a semi-final game billed for Thursday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The country's first pre-Season tournament is sponsored by Optima Energy, and its proudly supported by Alansmith Nigeria Limited, Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Foundation, Nigeria leading sportswear firms, Owu, Haggai Sportswear, Afripro, Naija League Magazine, Matchroom, Sports, 11th Media Global Concept, Phreestyle Sports, Renewed Hope, Kao Concept, Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation, Dejavu Communication, Olansile Football Academy, TSI Football Academy and ITS Football Management.

Niger Tornadoes move past Beyond Limits in Ogunjobi Gold Cup Opener

Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Niger Tornadoes kept their quest for a second Ogunjobi Gold Cup title alive as they beat Beyond Limits by two second half goals in their opening Matchday One game of the pre-season tourney.

The game at the FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu lived up to its hype as it got fans spellbound from the ref's blast to the final whistle.

The Ikon Allah were pushed to their limits as it took them 52 minutes before they could break the resilience of Beyond Limits energetic defence line. 

In the opening quarter of an hour, Tornadoes should have easily been one goal up but Beyond Limits had Olisa Emmanuel to thank owing to his sharp reflex save.

The goalkeeper was at his best as he forced off a superb save from Abubakar Babaji's sublime free-kick from 25yards.

In the 49th minute, Emmanuel showed why he is the first choice shot-stopper as he denied the Ikon Allah what could have been their first goal as he pulled off another save.

Beyond Limits could have shocked Tornadoes with their fantastic counter-attacking play from young lads, but a rocket shot by Muyideen Olude from 25yards beat goalkeeper Yinka Daniel but only to rattle the woodwork.

The young lads then paid dearly for a schoolboy defending in the 52nd minutes as Igbudu Alpha of Tornadoes became the first player to open a goal account in the 9th edition of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup.

As Tornadoes defended their one goal lead up till the 90th minute, Usule Martins then put the icing on the cake for his team scoring a second.

ABS FC of Ilorin is the defending champions after they stung Gombe United in a 5-goal thriller at the last edition in Ilorin.

The country's first pre-Season tournament is sponsored by Optima Energy, and its proudly supported by Alansmith Nigeria Limited, Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Foundation, Nigeria leading sportswear firms, Owu, Haggai Sportswear, Afripro, Naija League Magazine, Matchroom, Sports, 11th Media Global Concept, Freestyle Sports, Renewed Hope, Kao Concept, Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation, Dejavu Communication, Olansile Football Academy, TSI Football Academy and ITS Football Management.

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