Niger Tornadoes of Minna on Sunday produced a resilient display to retain their invincibility status under new coach Hamza Abara as they forced hosts Go-Round to a 1-1 draw in Omoku.
Captain Nelson Esor had given Go Round the lead in the 18th minute but Segun Alebiosu replied for the visitors just before half time to set up a grandstand second half. The Ikon Allah Boys produced a defensive masterclass during the second period to stave off their hosts.
When it looked as though Go Round will get their breakthrough from the penalty spot, defender Chile Azu hit the cross bar with his kick just before the hour mark. The point extends Tornadoes’ unbeaten run under Abara to seven games while Go Round’s relegation fears was made elaborate as they slide into the drop zone.
The disappointing result soured a day of celebration at the KrisDera Hotel Stadium in Omoku as the team’s Media Chief China Acheru celebrated his viewing of 1,000 football matches at a stadium.
Tornadoes former coach Abubakar Bala also got on with his own invincibility at new club Kwara United. His latest result is a 0-0 scoreline in Enugu against Rangers. It is the second away game in a row that Bala – who led Tornadoes to a draw in Enugu last season – will deny his hosts full points.
Katsina United were the other team that earned an away point on Sunday as they came from behind to hold Abia Warriors to a draw. Warriors took the lead through Samson Obi in the 16th minute but Joshua Agboola equalised from the penalty spot six minutes before half time as the visitors coached by former Warriors handler Abdullahi Biffo snatched the point.
El-Kanemi Warriors were the biggest winners on Sunday as Imama Amapakabo’s men thrashed Heartland 3-0 in a relegation six-pointer decided in Maiduguri. Warriors took the lead through Bello Kofarmata’s 35th minute penalty before Anthony Yeful added a brace in the second half.
Striker Sikiru Alimi was once again on the scoresheet for Sunshine Stars who held off Wikki Tourists 2-1 in Akure. Abubakar Umar gave Wikki an early lead but Alimi equalised in the 12th minute before Franklin Sasere netted the winner in the second half.
In Sunday’s final game, Rivers United moved to second on the log following a 1-0 win over Nasarawa United in Port Harcourt. Sochima Elum scored the game’s only goal after just 57 seconds to inflict a second defeat in 72 hours on Nasarawa.
