Head Coach of Niger Tornadoes FC, Abubakar Bala has said winning the Gold Cup tournament will raise the spirit of his team ahead of the 2016-17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
The Ikon Allah boys will be making their debut in this years edition of the Gold Cup preseason tourney which is set to kick off on Friday in Ijebu Ode.
Niger Tornadoes have been camping in Ijebu Ode after a short camping in Ado Ekiti to prepare ahead of the new league season.
“The numbers of players have been reduced to 30 compared to what we came in with from Ado Ekiti. These players have been penciled down to execute the Gold Cup.
“It was a tough decision for us but as professionals, we ensured that the best were selected based on their performance,” Bala told Felele247.com
Bala further revealed that winning the Gold Cup tourney was not his major priority but to observe his new recruits and access areas to be strengthened and effect correction before the commencement of the new league season.
“Aside the the Gold Cup tourney, the team has penciled down some tune up games and will use the avenue to correct lapses observed,” Bala maintained.
“Winning the Gold Cup will be a great moment to cherish to kick start the new league,” Bala said to Goalkick84.com.
Bala who was recently appointed as the new Head coach of Niger Tornadoes after guiding the team to an eleventh place finished in the just concluded 2015-2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
“I have spoken to the new boys amongst us and am happy they understand my philosophy. We are almost at the verge of finishing the signing processes, when it is done, I will make their names public,” said the former FC Lokoja gaffer.
The Ikon Allah boys defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 in a friendly match last week in Ijebu Ode and forced NPFL Champions, Rangers to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
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