NPFL: Niger Tornadoes Beat Sporting Lagos 1-0
Niger Tornadoes recorded a narrow 1-0 victory against Sporting Lagos, courtesy of a strike by Akintunde Azeez, on match day 25 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna State, North-Western Nigeria.
The Tornadoes enjoyed more possession of the ball during first half and deservedly took the lead after the referee spotted a foul on Clinton Jephta, who was brought down inside the box and duly awarded a penalty for the hosts.
Jephta missed from the spot as Christain Nwoke parried the ball, but Akintunde Azeez was quickest to react as he smashed home the rebound to put his team in front in the 9th minute.
Tornadoes dominated the better part of the half and went into the break with a deserved lead. The second half started with a more cautious approach to the game by both teams. The visitors however seized moment as they grew in confidence and determined the pace of the game.
Junior Lokosa was a threat upfront for the visitors but was contained by a defensive master class of both Mohammed Hussaini and Silvester Bell as Niger Tornadoes held on to claim the victory.
The win moved Niger Tornadoes to 14th place on the NPFL table with 30 points from 24 games, while Sporting Lagos remained in 13th place with 31 points from 25 games.
Wednesday’s NPFL results
Plateau United 4-0 Gombe United
Akwa United 3-1 Bendel Insurance
Doma United 0-1 Shooting Stars
Heartland Owerri 2-0 Abia Warriors
Kano Pillars 1-1 Enugu Rangers
Kwara United 1-0 Bayelsa United
Lobi Stars 3-2 Rivers United
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Sporting Lagos
Remo Stars 1-0 Enyimba FC
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Katsina United.
By Nura Mohammed, Minna.
