Niger Tornadoes will be in action for the first time in the Nigeria Professional Football League since gaining promotion back on Sunday when they welcome Plateau United to North Central Ilorin Township Stadium is the headline fixture of the matchday 01 of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2021/2022 season weekend.
The hosts have been busy strengthening their squad with the signing of Destiny Ashadi from Rivers United, Mohammed Ekpoma from Remo Stars, Usule Martins and Lukman Mohammed after their contract expiration with their clubs, also Plateau United was also busy in the transfer market with the incoming Reuben Bala from Enyimba FC, Jimmy Ambrose who return from Wikki Tourists on loan and Sikiru Alimi who joined on the last day of the transfer window.
Given how impressive they were last season in the second division which they won, there were plenty of people who are expecting Niger Tornadoes to be immune from the dreaded first-season syndrome this year.
Abubakar Bala’s men are in top gear for this encounter as they face Plateau United who struggled last season, but they still managed to finish 9th on the log and with Sunday’s game it will be the second time that both teams will meet in the first match of the season.
Plateau United’s manager Fidelis Ilechuchwu will rely on his assistant Hamza Abara advice who guided Niger Tornadoes to their 9 games unbeaten runs in the 2017/2018 campaign before and off the pitch for the team to get the result in the opening fixture in Ilorin, a lot of bragging right have ensued between the teams’ hardliners who were confident of their first maximum points.
RECENT MEETINGS [Head to Head]
2016 NPFL:
Plateau United 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United
2017 NPFL:
Plateau United 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United
Aiteo Cup 2017:
Niger Tornadoes 2-0 Plateau United
Plateau United 2-2 Niger Tornadoes
2018 NPFL:
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United
Pre-Season Friendly:
Plateau United 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
