2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 32: Niger Tornadoes host El-Kanemi Warriors in Kaduna

Posted : 06 April 2025

Niger Tornadoes midfielder, Victor Okoro, has expressed optimism ahead of their Match Day 32 home encounter against El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Enugu-born, hard-tackling central midfielder will be hopeful that the side can bounce back from their back-to-back away defeats to Shooting Stars and Akwa United as they aim for maximum points at home against El-Kanemi Warriors.

Okoro, who featured during the defeat to Akwa United last Thursday, further explained that it was a bitter loss for the side but expects to see a great response on Sunday when they face the Maiduguri-based club.

"Yes, it hasn't been a good outing for us in the past week or so, and suffering two consecutive defeats doesn't align with what we planned as a team—but that’s football; you win some and lose some.

"However, I'm very confident that we are going to put up a good performance to secure the maximum points against El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday. We understand what is at stake, and we are determined to get back to winning ways.

"I believe that the game on Sunday comes at the right time for us because it's a home game, which gives us a good advantage, playing in front of our home supporters."

This fixture will be held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, which has now been approved as Tornadoes' home ground for the rest of the season.

The Minna-based side has also used Bako Kontagora Stadium and Lafia City Stadium as alternative venues this season.

They face an El-Kanemi team currently out of form. The visitors are just one point ahead of Tornadoes, with both clubs sitting 13th and 14th, respectively.

However, with four remaining home matches, coach Majin Mohammed emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand.

"We must quickly forget about our last two away games and channel our energy towards this weekend's match against El-Kanemi Warriors.

"Our destiny is now in our own hands, and we must remain focused and determined to achieve positive results in our remaining home matches."

Mohammed also expressed confidence in his team’s familiarity with their adopted home venue, ABS Kaduna, stressing that they should use this to their advantage.

The Ikon Allah Boys have received a significant boost ahead of this weekend's match, as key players Ismail Sarki and Ifeanyi Okechukwu return to action.

Both players had been sidelined for the last two games but have now resumed full training and will be part of the squad for this weekend's encounter.

Neither side can afford to lose, as a defeat could push them closer to relegation.

Head to Head

Since 2017, Niger Tornadoes and El-Kanemi Warriors have faced each other in 4 matches, with Niger Tornadoes winning 2 and 2 matches ending in draws:

El-Kanemi Warriors 1–0 Niger Tornadoes (17.11.2024)

El-Kanemi Warriors 0–2 Niger Tornadoes (08.09.2021)

El-Kanemi Warriors 0–0 Niger Tornadoes (04.03.2018)

Niger Tornadoes 1–0 El-Kanemi Warriors (06.08.2017)

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 32: Niger Tornadoes host El-Kanemi Warriors in Kaduna

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