Babawo Stars as Tornadoes dislodge Abia Warriors

Two late strikes from Ibrahim Babawo 73rd and Bolaji Adeyemo 80th ensured the ikon Allah boys swim out of relegation after poor result.

This is the first home game Niger Tornadoes premier league game in the refurbished Bako Kontagora Stadium since the ikon Allah got promotion back to the elite three seasons ago, leapfrogging them to the 14th position on the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL standing over a stubborn Abia Warriors who came well prepared for the under the hot sun Sunday of the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna.

Niger Tornadoes presently a more youthful side against the visitors and would have sealed up the game in the first opening minutes of the encounter, In the 5th minute, Japhet Daniel made the wrong connection with Zango Abdulkadir’s cross and two minutes later, Daniel was presented with a free header off Uche Onwuasoanya’s cross but nodded inches wide.

Then Enaholo made two consecutive saves off Segun Alebiosu. In the 21st minute, he parried Alebiosu’s close range effort into corner. Three minutes later, he stretched to parry the attacker’s goal-bound free-kick to safety.
Warriors’ first attempt was a feeble one by Effiong in the 29th minute, which was easily dealt with by Tornadoes keeper, Mustapha Aliko.

In the 37th minute, Ibrahim Babawo nodded Bolaji Adeyemo’s inch-perfect cross narrowly wide.

Late in the first half, ikon Allah boys continue to press forward brightly, with Uche Onuwuasonanya continuing his impressive form, the former Gombe United loanee from FC Yarmalight crossed for another in-form player, Japhet Daniel who is making his official debut for the Minna based team, to fire over, before Ibrahim Babawo header went of the bar from Lukas Yahaya’s cross. 

In the 65th minute, Babawo teed up Usman but he failed to hit target with the net begging. Eight minutes later, Usman’s mazy run carved out an opportunity well-taken by Babawo. He simply guided the ball beyond onrushing Enaholo.

Babawo played though Hussaini Isa in the 79th minute but the left back missed the chance to extend Tornadoes lead. Then in the 80th minute, Adeyemo jabbed in Usman’s corner-kick.

That settled nerves around the arena and further justified Tornadoes investment in youth. The club had keyed into LMC’s Under 18 rule to sign Usman last season and on the evidence of this game, they are reaping bountifully.
Tornadoes interim head coach Hamza Abdulazeez heaped praises on the lad.

“He (Usman) is our own magician. Whenever we bring him (on), he will do something. He was the one who changed the game today,” Abdulazeez said afterwards.

Usman was promoted to the main team last season. For this season, Ahmad Liman has made the progress from feeder to the main team. Liman was an 86th minute substitute for Onwuasoanya. The club management hopes Liman has same impact as Usman.

THE LINE-UPS

Niger Tornadoes: Mustapha Aliko, Reuben Ogbonanya,Isha Hussaini,Lukas Yahaya,Uche Owunusoananya,Segun Alebiosu,Ibrahim Babawo(73), Japhet Daniel,Bolaji Adeyemo(80),Sunday Akinmoladun,Zango Abdulkadhir.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR Niger Tornadoes?
Niger Tornadoes will have a date in far away Maiduguri on Sunday against El-Kanemi Warriors for their Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 11 encounter at the El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium.