Niger Tornadoes produced a magnificent second half performance to end Shooting Stars unbeaten run after a nail biting contest at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.
A thirty-seventh minute goal from an in-form 3SC’ striker Christian Pyagbara put the visitors ahead in what did not reflect the actual nature of the game as the hosts dominated possession from the blast of the whistle up until the moment they conceded.
Pyagbara picked the ball from the right side of the field and looked to be ahead of everyone; Tornadoes defenders, Silvester Bell and Mohammed Hussaini were relaxed, perhaps, expecting the whistle but the arbiters think otherwise and allows play as the striker cooly slot home to give his team the lead.
All efforts by the Ikon Allah Boys to draw level before the break proved difficult has Shooting Stars held on to their lead into the break.
Second half restarted and the Ikon Allah Boys’ technical bench saw the need to make early substitution as Ikenna Offor replaced Eric Frimpong in a tactical switch that allows Clinton Jephta to move to his preferred wing role.
Tornadoes enjoyed possession with a lot of begging chances that were squandered, they however came close to levelling up when Ikenna Offor delivered a powerful header but goalkeeper Okemute Odah was in good position and saved.
Clinton Jephta, arguably Shooting Stars tormentor in chief in the game, receives the ball from the edge of the box, turns and powers a shot that caught Odah in goal for the visitors napping and level things up with the time at 75th minute on the clock.
In the dying moments of the game, with three additional minutes to play as signalled by the fourth official, there was a rumble in the box and Bashir Usman’s pass finds Ikenna Offor who spectacularly splashes the ball into roof of the net to secure the lead and eventually a vital win for the Ikon Allah Boys.
It was Ikenna’s second goal for Tornadoes since joining the club during the mid season transfer and both secured vital wins for the Ikon Allah Boys.
The win moves Tornadoes three places out of the red zone and shall next travel to Benin to confront Bendel Insurance in a Matchday 28 tie.