Match Report:
*Tornadoes Succumbs To Fire Powers Of Rivers United In A Thrilling Victory For The Hosts.*
The NPFL Match Day 25 encounter decided at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Porthacourt saw hosts Rivers United ripped the visitors apart as Rafiu Ishaq, Nyima Nwagua and Konan Ruffin ran riot in a game the visitors were left to rue the early missed scoring chances.
The encounter began with Niger Tornadoes looking the more dreadful of the two sides.
As early as 5th minute on the clock, Jonas Emmanuel was set free on goal as he tried to get hold of the ball inside the danger area but was well tracked by a United defender.
Twice Tornadoes lunched an attack, twice Jonas Emmanuel and Segun Alebiosu were flagged offside.
Rivers United did a quick transition with a fast counter attacking play, leaving Debo Fashanu who cleared the ball off danger for the first corner kick of the game.
Moments later, Nyima Nwagua came face-to-face inside the box with Lucky Abdullahi, having been fed a fine pass, but the Tornadoes goalie pulled a great save to deny the hosts from taking an early lead with the time at 17th minute.
The hosts gained momentum, as they grew in confidence, midway through the half hour mark, continuing their dominance of proceedings.
The dead lock was broken on the 30th minute when the league’s top scorer Rafiu Ishaq Kayode powered home a shot that beat Lucky Abdullahi in goal to hand his team the lead.
Three minutes after conceding the first goal, before the visitors could settle and regroup, Nyima Nwagua doubles the lead with an easy tap-in assisted by Nelson Esor on the 33rd minute of play.
Tornadoes technical bench reverted back to traditional 4-3-3 formation in a bid to change approach to the game when Lukman Mohammed was withdrew for Edoh Ocheme with 37 minutes on the clock.
Whistle goes up for half time break with the hosts ahead.
On resumption for the second period, the visitors effected two changes, introducing Musa Wakili in place of Ifeanyi Okoye
and Najeem Adeyinka coming in for Debo Fashanu.
With the changes made, the visitors were able to contain the league’s leaders onslaught, even though they found it hard to regain their rhythm with the hosts on two goals advantage.
Further damage for a possible come back hopes was done, when Mohammed Hussaini was dispossessed and Rivers United turned defending to an attack, in what resulted in their third goal on the 80th minutes as Konan Ruffin brilliantly slot home from a close range.
It was a damaging defeat on the road for the Ikon Allah Boys, but were unmoved on the log, retaining the 12th place pending the outcome of Nasarawa United Vs Dakkada game which is scheduled for a day later.
*SUBSTITUTIONS:*
37’Lukman Mohammed Out, Edoh Ocheme In.
46′ Musa Wakili In, Ifeanyi Okoye Out.
Najeem Adeyinka In, Debo Fashanu Out.
71’Chinedu Ufere Out, Yusuf Abdulrazak In.
*UNUSED SUBS:*
George Michael
Peter Momoh
Bolaji Adeyemo
Moses Ugwu
Christian Nwabueze
*CAUTION:*
44′ Ifeanyi Okoye
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Niger Tornadoes 🆚 Kano Pillars
