By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state government has donated N2 million to the state's darling team, Niger Tornadoes Football club of Minna for sealing their last encounter with Rivers United Football Club (RUFC) with one unreplied goal.
Niger Tornadoes secured the crucial victory over the league's leader, Rivers United in a re-scheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture which took place on Thursday at the Bako Kontagora memorial stadium in Minna, thereby breaking the seven-match winless curse.
The team had struggled without success in the past few weeks for escape slipping down the league's standings before a lone goal from Terdoo Shimagande, 67th minutes in the encounter broke the jinx and secured three points.
Efforts by visiting Rivers United which had started the match strongly to dominate early proceedings in the second half could not be sustained before the goal came.
The Chairman Niger State Sports Commission, Abdul Masu, sensing danger by the renewed vigor and desperation on the pasrt of Rivers United may earn them an equalizer, quickly announced N2 million donation to his home team, if they win.
This N2 million sallah gift announcement by Masu prompted both the players and goal keeper, Ifeanyi Nchekwube, whose impressive saves kept the hosts in the contest to tighten up till the last whistle is heard.
Speaking to Sports Writer, Niger Tornadoes Coach, Mohammed Majin attributed the feat to the ability of the club's management to identify and work more on the team's midfield which had earned opponents easy incursions and weighing down their goal scoring chances.
Majin who had predicted a win against Rivers United after last Sunday's goaless draw against Kano Pillars expressed appreciation for the support his team enjoyed from Sports Writers and also praised his boys’ resilience against some strong opponents.
“I feel highly delighted supported by you, everyone and thank you for your patience. We faced an experienced and formidable side. They dominated early on, but we improved as the game progressed. We will build on this momentum, as results like this help to lift the team’s spirit.”
And for the defeated Rivers United, the re-scheduled NPFL 26 encounter is a game that both parties came with diffrent expectations.
Rivers United Coach, Yemi who however refused to rate the performances of the officiating officials said his team is moving forward and concentrating on how to win their next match.
Meanwhile, the match was momentarily halted in the second half by the centre refree when stones started landing into the playing pitch from suspected supporters of the home team shortly before the only goal in the match came.
While the stones from home team's supporters landed on the heads of some Rivers United players, their Technical Adviser, Finidi George also received doses of insults from same home team supporters seated behind him on the podium towards the end of the encounter.
The 1-0 against visiting Rivers United lifts Niger Tornadoes to the 10th place on the NPFL table, the team will be facing Abia Warriors in matchday 31 encounter. NNL.
