BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
BWARI TOWNSHIP STADIUM — It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. On a blistering Sunday afternoon at the Bwari Township Stadium, Kun Khalifat proved they have the “X-factor” to survive and thrive in the NPFL, dispatching a shell-shocked Niger Tornadoes with a clinical 2-0 victory.
While the clouds gathered over Bwari, it was the stars on the pitch who provided the lightning.
The hosts, desperate to climb the table, found their spark in the 26th minute through the electric Adamu Mohammed. The nimble forward, who has been the talk of the town since his January arrival, latched onto a loose ball in the area and rifled it home, sending the home support into a frenzy.
Tornadoes, who arrived in 12th place and full of confidence, looked like they had been hit by a different kind of storm. Their veteran captain Abba Khalid struggled to contain the youthful exuberance of the Khalifat frontline.
The knockout blow arrived just seconds before the halftime whistle. Oghenetega Ebetomame—another “new boy” making waves—cemented his status as a fan favorite. Showing the poise of a seasoned pro, he found the net deep into stoppage time to double the lead.
”We knew we had the quality in the locker,” said an ecstatic home fan. “Adamu and Oghenetega aren’t just players; they are the future of this club.”
The second half saw Niger Tornadoes throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Khalifat defense. However, the “Pride of Imo” stood tall. Goalkeeper Nsikak Akpan was in inspired form, pulling off a world-class save in the 70th minute to keep the clean sheet intact.
For the visitors, it was a day to forget as their usually reliable stars, including the dangerous Dalhatu Abdulaz, were kept under lock and key by a disciplined Kun Khalifat backline.
The win sees Kun Khalifat pick up three vital points in their “race for survival,” proving that when their stars align, they are a match for anyone in the top flight.
