Abubakar Bala says his Tornadoes will show quality in their next Optima Energy Gold Cup matches against fellow NPFL sides Sunshine Stars and Remo Stars.

He said after the win against Hammola FC of Osogbo: “I’m delighted that we have used the first two games in the Optima Energy Gold Cup to test the new players, and garnered six points.

“It has given us an avenue to access the team and the options we have. If you saw our play against Gateway FC and Hammola FC, the players that played for Tornadoes were the lads that are trying out with us.

“Sincere thanks to the two teams we have played so far, as they exposed a few blind spots to us and also gave a good account of themselves. 

” Playing against the lower league teams is never easy, always tough and they are stubborn to beat, as they want to prove a point that they are good too by showing quality.

“Our striking options after two matches have not been fantastic but there is room for improvement.”

Ahead of Ikon Allah’s two tough matches against Sunshine Stars and defending champions Remo Stars, Bala hinted that his team will come good.

“Our Optima Energy Gold Cup campaign will begin with these two games. We have seen what the two teams are capable of, it was a tough game and they played good football.

“Expect a different NIger Tornadoes, as I’m going to start my best legs for the matches, as the fixture is like that of the Premier League. Men versus men and not against boys. 

“The results from these two matches can change the shape of the Group A table but on our part, anything short of 4points is nothing.”

The Technical Adviser of Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, Abubakar Bala Mohammed said the NNL campaigners and promotion hopefuls the Ikon Allah Boys are ready for the season.

Coach Bala stated this during one of the teams training programme preparatory to the commencement of the 2020/2021 NNL season, he said… “We have had one of the best Pre Season programmes, thanks to the State Government and the Management of the Club for the full support it has accorded the team during the period of recruitment and Pre Season preparations, this is our fourth month since resumption, post covid-19 break, ever since, we have participated in series of friendly matches and Pre Season tournaments in both Katsina and Ilorin all aimed at making sure the team is fully ready in terms of physical, mental and tactical awareness”

He said the team needed to replace some key players who departed for greener pastures to the NPFL, hence the essence of the friendly matches in order to determine how the newly recruited players can blend with the old ones and play according to the teams style.

The Tornadoes gaffer added that the team is currently in the last lap of preparations, with a couple of matches lined up prelude to the commencement of the league season, saying with maximum support from the Fans/Supporters, Tornadoes will clinch the sole promotion ticket from Northern Conference Group A2

The team has since return to the Bako Kontagora Stadium for its trainings ahead of the season cotton raiser against Real Stars of Kaduna slated for the 30th of this month.

Alhassan Mohammed Kutigi
Media Officer,
Niger Tornadoes FC, Minna.