By Mohammed Alhassan Kutigi

Niger Tornadoes Football of Minna stunned host Wikki Tourists FC 2-0 at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on Sunday as two second half goals from Idris Saidu and Musa Abdullahi Wakili ensured the Ikon Allah Boys ran out victorious in what was a fantastic display of football in the matchday of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.

The game started with both teams trying to dictate the pace with fluid attacking display. Wikki Tourists took control at the later stages of the game, as they continued to threatened, but Lucky Abdullahi in goal for the Ikon Allah Boys pulled off some eye-catching saves to keep his team in the game before the half time break.

Second half resumed and Coach Bala quickly made a tactical change bringing in Ifeanyi Okoye in place of Shamsudeen Hashim as he switched game plan.

The substitution paid off, as Okoye steadied things in the middle complementing Musa Wakili who was equally brilliant on the day.

Wikki Tourists’ Abubakar Aliyu had a good game as he consistently torments Tornadoes backline with his silk movement of the ball and dribbles, but Sunday Akinmoladun and co made sure he didn’t cause any havoc.

Tornadoes initiated a beautiful build up with David Okoromi finding the ball on the edge of the box, but was charged from behind as he attempted to shoot and the referee Patience Madu awarded a free kick, few meters from the area. Left full back Idris Saidu stepped forward, set the ball and curled it into the net in a spectacular fashion to put the visitors ahead on 74th minute.

Few minutes after the first goal, new entrant and Tornadoes form player Munir Idris who did not waste time before settling in into the game, became a thorn in the flesh of Wikki Tourists defenders with his dazzling moves on the flanks, he received the ball, dribbled his marker and passed to David Okoromi whose effort from a close range was parried towards the direction of Musa Wakili who slotted home to double the lead and the dark skinned Bauchi born midfield maestro refused to celebrate as a mark of respect for the home fans.

There were chances for Jonas Emmanuel and David Okoromi to get on the score sheet but fluffed.

All attempts by the hosts to get back into the game or reduce the tally proved abortive.

Niger Tornadoes will play host to newly promoted side, Doma FC of Gombe State in their adopted home ground, Ahmed Bello Stadium, Kaduna State on Wednesday