Makinde celebrates 3SC as Niger Tornadoes win NNL Super Eight Playoff

Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, yesterday, defeated Shooting Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan 3-2 to win the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super Eight Playoff final. The victory thus crowned the Minna-based team as champions of the 2020/2021 NNL season.

In the final match played inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Niger Tornadoes opened scoring through Shamsudeen Asheun in the ninth minute.

Gafar Olatemiran levelled scores for 3SC from the spot in the 16th minute as the two teams entered the break with scores 1-1.  

Ahmedy Liman and Augustine gave Tornadoes a two-goal lead in 57th and 64th minutes before Raheem Quadry reduced the scoreline to 3-2.

The last Group B match of the competition between Remo Stars of Ogun State and Bendel Insurance of Benin City ended 2-2.

The match would have been played on Saturday but was postponed to yesterday by the organizers.  

With a result, Remo Stars joined Niger Tornadoes, 3SC and Gombe United in gaining promotion to the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).  

Olamfhian Gafal of 3SC won the highest goal scorer of the season award with 16 goals and the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The best goalkeeper of the season went to, Charles Tembe of 3SC and coach of the season went to Coach Mohammed Bala of Niger Tornadoes.

Giant Brilla FC of Enugu, who survived the season by whiskers won the Best Behaved Team of the season. 

Speaking after the match, 3SC Coach, Edith Agoye congratulated champions, Niger Tornadoes, saying he was not disappointed with the result as his team made it to the NPFL.  

“We are going home to prepare for the higher league so that we will do well to justify all we have put into the club,” he said.  

Tornadoes Captain, Sunday Akinmolade, described the match as just an ‘exhibition game’ since the two teams had qualified.

Meanwhile, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, over the weekend praised 3SC for finally securing promotion to the NPFL.

Makinde said the promotion is in line with his campaign promise to get the Oluyole Warriors back to the elite league within two years of assumption of office.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, the governor commended the players and management for their commitment and patriotism, adding: “We are sincerely happy to see our darling team, 3SC, back where it belongs: the Nigerian Premier Football League. It gladdens my heart that the feat is achieved just a few days after we unveiled the remodelled, world-class Lekan Salami Sport Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the befitting home of the Shooting Stars.

“I rejoice with the government and good people of Oyo State on this wonderful achievement by our darling team and especially the return of good football to Ibadan.

“Surely, the government of Oyo State will ensure that the players and technical crew are rewarded for bringing us this joyful moment.

“I equally assure that the government of Oyo State will join hands with all stakeholders to ensure that our people watch interesting games in the classy Lekan Salami Sports complex every week.

“As a government, we will do everything possible to reward the players and management of the 3SC for this amazing feat and wonderful achievement, which is in fulfilment of our campaign promise to get the 3SC promoted to the NPFL within two years of assumption of office.”