It’s no longer news that Niger Tornadoes have finally tasted victory again, ending a frustrating seven-match winless run in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Minna-based side secured a hard-fought win in their rescheduled Matchday 26 fixture at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, proving they can still hold their own against the league’s heavyweights.
Niger Tornadoes Secure ₦2 Million Reward for Defeating League Leaders
The victory was made even sweeter by a massive financial boost from the state’s sports hierarchy.
Following the final whistle, it was confirmed via the club’s official page that the Chairman of the Niger State Sports Commission, Hon. Danjuma Abdul Masu, rewarded the team with ₦2 million for their resilience.
This windfall comes as a direct result of their ability to ground out a result against the current table-toppers.
The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Terdoo Shimagande found the back of the net.
Rivers United’s frustrations boiled over in stoppage time as forward Maclyn Biokpo was shown a red card, further compounding the downfall of the visitors in Minna.
Coach Mohammed Praises Resilience as Tornadoes Rise to 10th
The win has immediate implications for the NPFL standings, lifting Niger Tornadoes to 10th place.
The team showed remarkable discipline to hold onto their narrow lead, particularly during the early stages of the match when the visitors piled on the pressure.
Reflecting on the emotional win, Coach Mohammed expressed appreciation for the support his team has received and praised the players’ resilience against a strong opponent.
“I feel supported by everyone and thank you for your patience. We faced an experienced and formidable side,” he said.
“They dominated early on, but we improved as the game progressed. We will build on this momentum, as results like this help to lift the team’s spirit,” he added.
The Ikon Allah Boys will now look to carry this new-found confidence on the road.
Their next challenge takes them to Abia State, where they are scheduled to face Abia Warriors in a crucial Matchday 31 encounter.