Niger Tornadoes quest of maintaining their premier league status will be put to test when they host Lobi Stars in Match day 33 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Sunday.
Still bittered with their 0-1 loss to Ikorodu United on match day 32 courtesy of Adeshina Oduntan stoppage time strike to deny the Ikon Allah boys their first away point, attention of the Minna Warlords has been shifted on the Makurdi-based club as the team has vowed to get her maximum points.
Anthony Okpotu's 90 minute strike from the spot separated both side in the reverse fixtures played on April 24 at the Aper Aku Stadium.
The Ikon Allah boys will hope to continue their fine run at their adopted home ground (Confluence Stadium) Lokoja with a victory against the Pride of Benue.
Lobi Stars also fresh from their 0-1 away loss to Akwa United at the Goodwill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo last weekend will be coming into this game with a mind set of getting a result.
Coach Abubakar Bala led side will be boosted by the return of NPFL All-Star tour of Spain player Gabriel Wassa to match day squad who has been in fine form for the Minna-based team while Lobi Stars will also welcome marksman Anthony Okpotu back from injury lay off.
Niger Tornadoes are placed fourteenth on the current league table with 40 points from 31 games while Lobi Stars are fifth with 48 points from the same number of matches.
"We've got to play all 90minutes as a team," Tornadoes head coach, Abubakar Bala told NIGER TORNADOES MEDIA.
"We will ensure that we take our chances as they come. We can't afford to let this game slip from our hands with respect to Lobi Stars.
"The keys to beating Lobi will be to play as a unit and fight for every ball," Bala said.
As expected It will be a end-to-end game with both teams having a lot still to play and Tornadoes are wary of Lobi Stars gaffer, Godwin Uwua who once led the Minna club for years.
Tornadoes captain and goalkeeper, Mustapha Aliko said that playing Lobi is a derby, recognising the impact and influence of Coach Uwua.
Aliko added that the team is braced up to entertain all the antics and tactics that Uwua will employ against his former side.
"We know Coach Uwua very well, we are ready for him. We know his kind of football therefore we are confident that we would carry the day because we have upper hand against him.
"In the reverse fixture in Makurdi we did that and it almost worked but with the last move of the game they got a spot kick which was converted. We are hoping and believing in God that we will carry the day at the end of the match", Aliko said.
According to him Tornadoes has no more business with Nigeria National League (NNL) so the players have resolved to give a good fight from the first minute and to the final whistle," Aliko said to NIGER TORNADOES MEDIA.
Form Guide: Last 5 NPFL Matches of Niger Tornadoes
(LWLWL)
Niger Tornadoes 0-1 Ikorodu United (A)
Niger Tornadoes 3-0 Akwa United (H)
Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Sunshine Stars (A)
Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Abia Warriors (H)
Niger Tornadoes 1-3 Shooting Stars (A)
Last 5 NPFL Matches of Lobi Stars (LWWDW)
Lobi Stars 0-1 Akwa United (A)
Lobi Stars 3-2 Abia Warriors (H)
Lobi Stars 3-0 Warri Wolves (H)
Lobi Stars 1-1 Enugu Rangers (A)
Lobi Stars 1-0 Plateau United (H)
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