Niger Tornadoes return to Minna ahead of NPFL 2026-27

Niger Tornadoes are set to resume full training at the Bako Kotangora Stadium in Minna as preparations begin for the 2026-27 Nigeria Professional Football League season. They finished 15th in the 2026 NPFL with 48 points from 38 matches.

The Minna-based side have been using neutral venues since renovation work began at their regular home ground. The return to Bako Kotangora Stadium will allow the team to continue its preparations at the venue it expects to use during the new campaign.

Training is scheduled to resume at the stadium on Monday. The ground has been renovated ahead of the 2026-27 season, but it still requires approval from the Nigeria Premier Football League before it can host competitive fixtures.

Niger Tornadoes recorded 13 wins, nine draws and 16 defeats in the last campaign, scoring 37 goals and conceding 36. Their five most recent league matches produced one win, three draws and one defeat: a 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars, draws against El-Kanemi Warriors, Kwara United and Enugu Rangers, and a 3-0 loss to Remo Stars.

Their first listed fixture of the new season is against Enyimba in Minna on August 30, giving the stadium’s approval a direct bearing on the venue for the opening game. The meeting is set to be Niger Tornadoes’ first competitive test after their return to regular training at the ground.

Niger Tornadoes will therefore use the pre-season period to work from their home base while waiting for the league authorities to confirm that Bako Kotangora Stadium meets the required standard. Their previous league position leaves them with the task of improving on a campaign in which defeats outnumbered wins.