2019/2020 Season: Tornadoes 75% ready for the NNL season — Technical Adviser
The Niger Tornadoes Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday said his team, the “Ikon Allah Boys” was almost ready for the new league season.
Bala gave the assurance to the club’s fans after assessing the team’s evening training session on Monday at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, as they gear up preparation for life in the Nigeria’s second tier league (NNL).
“Tornadoes are leaving no stone unturned to make an impressive outing in the league in the incoming season.
“We are aware of the challenges ahead; hence the Technical Crew and management have resolved to have a better pre-season engagements before the commencement of the new season.
“We will study the teams weaknesses and also perfect a system of play; this is in the buildup of which we participated in the Gold Cup Pre-season Tournaments in Ilorin, which we won.
“We also took part in the Gov. Okowa Cup in Delta, where we finished among the best four clubs,” he said in a statement by the club’s Media Officer, Alhassan Mohammed Kutigi in Lagos.
Bala added: “We have also forwarded a request to the management to facilitate at least, a week closed camping to enable us engage in one or two friendly matches.
“The friendly matches will help to understand the strength and weak department in the team to be able to proffer solution before the season kick starts,” he said.
Bala promised to employ capable hands that would replace the exodus of players from the club, adding that though their services would be missed, there were capable replacements within the fold.
“Players like, Reuben Ogbonnaya, Moses Ocheje, Mustapha Salihu, Sarki Ismail and Bashir Azado departed for greener pasture elsewhere.
“We have a goalkeeper already brought from Kano Pillars to fill the vacuum created by Mustapha Salihu’s departure,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the management, the Secretary, Aliyu Muazu, noted the readiness of Bako Kontagora Stadium to host league matches.
He assured the people that Tornadoes would play its matches in front of home fans.
“The club’s Chairman, Adamu Aliyu, has graciously approved funds for maintenance work at the Stadium which, he says, will be carried out in days to come.
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“I appeal to our supporters to accord the team maximum support, so as fast track a return to the elite division where the club belongs,” the statement said. (NAN)