Niger Tornadoes have been bolstered by the return of Victor Okoro and Abba Khalid, who have regained full fitness ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 17 fixture against Sunshine Stars. The duo’s return is a significant boost for the team as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting clash with the Akure-based side.

The game, scheduled to take place at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna on Sunday, comes after a hard-fought 2-1 win for Niger Tornadoes over Sunshine Stars in the same fixture last season. Goals from Bashir Usman and Clinton Jephta secured the three points for the Ikon Allah Boys, with Lucky Nwafor scoring for Sunshine Stars.

Meanwhile, Moses Omoduemuke, who is yet to fully recover from injury, will undergo a late fitness test to determine if he can feature in the encounter. The fitness of Omoduemuke could be crucial for the team's tactical setup, but the return of Okoro and Khalid should offer the squad a lift either way.

Opinion: Reinforcements to Drive Niger Tornadoes’ Ambition

The return of Okoro and Khalid is undoubtedly a morale booster for Niger Tornadoes as they aim to continue their positive momentum in the NPFL. With the team having secured a solid win over Sunshine Stars last season, they will be eager to replicate or even improve upon that performance. Both Okoro and Khalid bring experience and creativity to the squad, which will be essential in breaking down a potentially stubborn Sunshine Stars side.

The fitness of Omoduemuke remains a point of interest, and if he passes his fitness test, he could play a pivotal role in the midfield. His presence would give coach Abubakar Bala more options in both attack and defense.

In terms of expectations, Niger Tornadoes will be confident going into the match, knowing that their squad is in good shape with key players returning to full fitness. If they can maintain their form and take control of the game from the start, they will have a strong chance of securing another victory to push them further up the league table. The depth in the squad, especially with the return of these players, shows that the team is hungry for success this season.