By Ebube Dike

Nigeria Tornadoes coach, Abubakar Bala has attributed his team’s 1-1home draw in matchday 16 of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season to ill-luck.

Playing at their newly adopted home ground, Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja in the midweek games, Ikon Allah Boys conceded first before they snatched a point following a final one-all draw result

Coach Bala who said the boys came into the game with mindset to pick all three points at stake, commended the lads for good attitude but bemoaned wasted opportunities especially in the second half.

“Our plan was to pick all the three points at stake, but it ended in a draw. If we had lost all three points what would you say.

“The boys played well, they created some chances which were not utilized most especially in the second half.

“I will attribute that (the draw) to ill luck. We have to double our effort and fight to altt least get something in our next game,” he said.

The game began on a pacy note with both teams showing clear intent of going in front, the hosts however had some efforts at the opposition’s end winning back to back corner kick as pressure intensified.

MFM snatched the lead off a good team play, as Richie Eguavoen found himself in a good position to jab the ball passed George Michael in goal for the hosts.

A sustained pressure from the Ikon Allah Boys after going behind to an early minute goal paid off when Usule Martins got a pass and neatly dribbled his marker and locates speeding Shamsudeen Hashim whose effort was parried by Osayi Kingdom and Shamsudeen again capitalises and laid a pass to waiting Kabiru Adeniji who nodded the ball in for an equaliser.

Half time whistle went off with the both team leveled.

On resumption for the second stanza, Tornadoes Technical Bench made three changes, all in a bid to pick a win in the game. Wisdom Magbisa, Jonah James and Munir Idris were introduced early enough, the trio made immediate impact as they all settled in and started dictating the game.

The hosts continued attacking and a foul was committed on Ahmadu Liman by an MFM player for a free kick, but luck ran out when Abiodun Adebayo whipped in a thunderbolt of a shot that came off the cross bar.

Wisdom Magbisa took over the midfield making some dangerous and defense splitting passes as the host continued to torment, he was fouled in the dying moments of the game and Adeyinka Najeem’s effort was denied by the wood work.

All further onslaught at goal yielded no result and the game ended score draw.

Tornadoes will visit Owerri, the Imo State capital for a date with Heartland FC who lost their midweek tie 3-1 against Sunshine Stars that ended their rejuvenated 6 matches unbeaten run in the league.