Niger Tornadoes have dedicated their shock 2-1 win at FC Ifeanyiubah in a match day 22 NPFL fixture at Nnewi to their late teammate Hussaini Isah.
Isah died last week in a motor accident along Maitumbi Road in Minna.
The left back had posted a Man-of-the-Match performance against Kwara United 24 hours earlier in a match day 21 fixture after serving out a mandatory one-match suspension over accumulated cards.
After a minute’s silence in honour of the player in Sunday’s thriller, Mubarak Ejiogu struck twice on either side of Godwin Obaje’s penalty on 90 minutes to hand the travelling Tornadoes all points to become the first team to shock ‘The Anambra Warriors’ at home in three lengthy seasons.
“We are dedicating this victory today against FC Ifeanyiybah to our player, Hussaini Isah, who died on Monday in Minna in an accident”, goalkeeper Terkaa Melai said after the hard-fought victory.
“We missed him greatly but his spirit was with us, so we are dedicating this win to him”.
Melai, a former Lobi Stars goalkeeper, who last season scored six times from the spot before a switch to Tornadoes, single handedly stood between FC Ifeanyiubah and goal with incredible saves time and again, said Sunday’s win at FC Ifeanyiubah was a reward for their resilience, doggedness and composure.
“We did not expect it (victory) was going to come for us at FC Ifeanyiubah,” he admitted.
“But we held our ground, defended well and took our chances.