By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Last Sunday evening's 2-2 draw encounter between Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna and visiting Kwara United Football club of Ilorin has been described as 'very tough' by Coach Sullyman Ashifat of Kwara United
The first goal from visiting Kwara United less than ten minutes into the game set both players and supporters of Niger Tornadoes into confusion prompting them to become more aggreive until an equalizer through a penalty kick before end of first half.
The fiercely contested encounter, witnessing the highest number of yellow cards in recent times on both sides and a red card for the home team soon became rowdy when supporters of the home team became afraid that visiting Kwara United were having an upper hand.
The referees and officiating officials had raised alarm over alleged interferences and intimidations by supporters and fans of Niger Tornadoes who had expected that everything about the encounter should be in their favour.
The battle however became more fierce as Kwara United, playing ten against eleven after one of the players was sent out shortly before end of the first half over breach of rules of the game, hence maintained its defence tactics to check incursions by the home team.
The game was again momentarily halted after the second goal from visiting Kwara United when the supporters and fans of Niger Tornadoes went wild, and started using abusive words as stones started flooding the visiting teams side.
Timely intervention of security agencies, Niger Tornadoes management and some staff of Niger State Sports Commission (NSSC) halted what would have been a total break down of law and order at the Bako Kontagora memorial stadium, Minna.
An equalizer came from Niger Tornadoes after one of the players got a red card and was walked out from the football pitch, less than fifteen minutes to the end of second half.
Meanwhile, Kwara United Football club's Technical Adviser, Sullyman Ashifat has described the encounter as very tough.
Ashifat, speaking to Sports Writers said, "It was really tough, we both needed 3 points but as God would have it, it ended in 2-2 draw. One point is still good for us". NNL.
