By Vitus Michael

Niger Tornadoes coach, Abubakar Bala Mohammed have disclosed that the 1-0 win against visiting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in matchday 22 of the 2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL match on Sunday will motivate the team in pushing against relegation, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Speaking after substitute Musa Wakili scored a dying minute header to gift the home team the deserved victory in their temporarily adopted home in Kaduna, Coach Bala said he was happy the boys were able to come to the party despite Wikki’s game plan

“It was a tough one because Wikki came with a game plan to tactically delay and pull the game down, but am happy we were able to win at the end.

“The victory is a big motivation for us because it will spur us to do more,” he said.

Niger Tornadoes pipped visitors Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi in Match Day 22 encounter decided at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, an 86th minutes Musa Wakili’s header beaten Galadima Mohammed in goal for the visitors to salvage a win for Coach Bala’s side.

Galadima’s heroics prevented what could have been goals galore against his team as he produced some superb and eye-catching saves during the encounter.

The home team led an incursion into the opposition’s end in search of a goal in what was a fast counter attacking play, Chinedu Ufere was pushed down inside the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot, Chinedu took the penalty kick and missed as Galadima Mohammed pulled a brave save.

The first half which was a bit drab produced no goals from both teams.

Shortly after resumption, Tornadoes technical bench saw the need to make some changes, as Ahmadu Liman and Munir Idris were subbed on to improve the team’s attacking propensity.

The changes were justified immediately as upsurge in the Ikon Allah Boys’ attack was glaring.

53′ Jonas Emmanuel in a bid to add to his goals tally after his debut goal last weekend was seen everywhere around the opponent area, he delivered a shot, but was parried to corner by Wikki Tourists goalkeeper, Segun Alebiosu connected on Gabriel Wassa’s corner Kick with a tap on the ball but his effort went a little wide.

67’Galadima Mohammed pulled another great save to deny Ahmadu Liman who fired a shot from a dangerous position.

As minutes ticked away, Coach Bala produced a tactical masterpiece by introducing Musa Wakili in the 84th minute in place of Segun Alebiosu, the Bauchi born versatile midfielder took no time to settled into the game as he was seen combining well with Ahmadu Liman, Lukman Mohammed and Munir Idris whom were also second half subs.

Two minutes into the game Musa Wakili raced into the box as a Wikki Tourists defender hit the ball sky high, goalkeeper Galadima miss calculated in an attempt to save the ball but Wakili smartly headed ball in, in what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Other further attempts to increase the tally by hosts proved abortive as Wikki Tourists defence and Galadima’s heroic coupled luck means the tie ended on slim defeat.

With the win, Niger Tornadoes have now recorded three straight wins in Kaduna. They are 14thnon the log with 26 points.

Up next for the Niger State based club is a trio to Abia state for a date with Abia Warriors in Umuahia on matchday 23