Technical adviser of Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala, has revealed the pre-season progress report for his team.
The Ikon Allah are participating in a pre-season tournament at Ijebu Ode but Abubakar has noted that the newly built team has reached 70% level in their preparation ahead of 2016/17 Nigerian League season.
“We have completed our recruitment process and we have gotten to the third phase of our preparation. We are currently participating at the Gold Cup preseason tournament in Ijebu ode. The quality of opposition will help us see more of the team’s weakness and strong point.”
“The target was to carry out a total overhaul of the team and inculcate a positive philosophy in the team.
“The friendlies we played against Rangers and Lobi Stars has helped us a great deal but we want to finish off well at the Gold Cup preseason tournament but so far, we are 70% ready.
“The venue of the final phase of our preparation will be dependent on our league opener in the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),” he added.
“If our first league match will be at home then we shall head back to Lokoja but if we shall be playing our first match on the road next season then we shall complete out preparation at a nearby state.”
Rosberg Wins First Formula 1Title
Nico Rosberg won his first Formula 1 world title despite Lewis Hamilton disobeying Mercedes orders not to back his team-mate into rivals. Hamilton won the Abu Dhabi GP driving slowly in an attempt to bring other drivers into the battle, knowing he needed Rosberg to finish below third.
Hamilton was repeatedly told to speed up but told the team: “Let us race.”
Rosberg came under pressure from Sebastian Vettel but managed to hold the Ferrari driver to finish second. Hamilton controlled the race from the front but was under instruction from Mercedes management not to try any strategic games to delay Rosberg.
However, he disregarded message after message to speed up and prevent Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen from closing on Rosberg.
The German in turn complained on the radio to the team to “consider doing something” and the tense title battle will do nothing to improve the cool relationship between the two drivers.
“It’s a childhood dream come true,” Rosberg said over the radio. “Thank you for everything.”
After the drama of the race, Hamilton congratulated Rosberg on his world championship and the two men embraced and shook hands on the podium.
credit: leadership