Niger Tornadoes beat Ikorodu City 2-1 as coach hails 'cup final' win

Niger Tornadoes picked up all three points at home on matchday nine of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), beating Ikorodu City 2-1 at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna last weekend.

Nafiu Obalowu opened the scoring three minutes before the half-hour mark, and Bashir Musa doubled the hosts' lead eight minutes from the end of regulation time. Basit Ayinde pulled one back for Ikorodu City deep into stoppage time, but the Ikon Allah Boys held on for the win.

Why the win matters

Chief Coach Umar Tyabo Abdullahi said his side treated the game like a final because home form had been holding them back. Before the match, Tornadoes had two wins and two draws at home this season, a record he said was not good enough for where the club wants to finish.

"This is one of the most important three points we have secured this season," Tyabo told the club's media.

He said the players knew a victory would lift them up the table, and that the result keeps the team's ambition of climbing the standings on track.

The coach also spoke about the goalkeeping error that let Ikorodu City back into the game late on. He called it a learning moment for the goalkeeper and the whole squad, and said the team will work on cutting out such mistakes. He noted that had the error come earlier, with about nine minutes left, the game could have turned out differently.

Still building

Tyabo praised Ikorodu City as a good, experienced side that challenged for a top-three finish last season, and said his players expected a tough afternoon.

He added that Tornadoes are still a work in progress, with the squad assembled barely two months before the season started and several new players still learning to play together.

"Game by game, we are improving, developing better understanding and gradually taking shape," he said.

Tornadoes, coached by Kabiru Dogo, face Abia Warriors in their next NPFL fixture this weekend.