By SCM Staff Writer in Minna
MINNA, NIGERIA — The “People’s Elephant” was left gasping for air in the heat of Minna as Niger Tornadoes delivered a devastating 2-0 blow to Nigerian giants Enyimba FC.
In a match that crackled with intensity from the first whistle, the home side proved they are no respecters of reputation, dismantling the nine-time champions with two moments of pure quality that sent the Bako Kontagora Stadium into a frenzy.
The Breakthrough
After a tense first half where Enyimba’s defense, led by their seasoned veterans, managed to absorb the pressure, the deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute. The star of the show, Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai, ignited the stadium with a clinical finish.
Dabai, who had been a thorn in Enyimba’s side all afternoon, found a pocket of space in the box and rifled the ball home, leaving the visitors’ goalkeeper with no chance. It was a goal that reward the Tornadoes’ relentless ambition and signaled a shift in power on the afternoon.
Enyimba, desperate to salvage their pride and a point on the road, pushed forward in the closing stages.
However, their search for an equalizer left them exposed at the back.
With just two minutes of regulation time remaining, the Tornadoes struck again. Rickson Mendos emerged as the hero of the hour, finishing off a lightning-quick counter-attack in the 88th minute to make it 2-0. Mendos’ cool-headed finish acted as the final nail in the coffin, ensuring Enyimba would head back to Aba empty-handed.
The result is a massive statement of intent for Niger Tornadoes, who leapfrog up the NPFL standings, proving they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s traditional heavyweights.
For Enyimba, it’s a bitter pill to swallow as their recent run of inconsistent form continues to haunt their title ambitions.
While the “Elephant” might be the biggest name in Nigerian football, on this evidence, they were simply no match for the whirlwind force of the Tornadoes.
