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Nigeria midfielder Babatunde Akaje Hannafi joins Niger Tornadoes from Kwara United

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Nigeria midfielder Babatunde Akaje Hannafi joins Niger Tornadoes from Kwara United

Babatunde Akaje Hannafi has joined Nigerian club Niger Tornadoes from fellow NPFL side Kwara United.

The 19-year-old central midfielder switches clubs on 22 August 2026 after spending the first part of the calendar year with Kwara United. He becomes a Niger Tornadoes player as the club prepares for the 2026-27 season in Nigeria’s top flight.

Hannafi, who was born in Nigeria on 11 April 2007, made 11 NPFL appearances for Kwara United during the 2025-26 campaign. He played 790 minutes in the competition, giving him senior experience before his move to Niger Tornadoes.

The midfielder joined Kwara United from ABS FC on 1 January 2026, making the move his second club change of the year. His transfer to Niger Tornadoes marks a further step in his early senior career, with the player remaining in the NPFL.

Hannafi’s primary position is central midfield. His recorded market value is €50,000, although no transfer fee has been disclosed for his move to Niger Tornadoes.

The deal was completed on 22 August, with Hannafi’s arrival coming after his brief spell at Kwara United. He has now moved directly between two NPFL clubs after making his league debut appearances during the 2025-26 season.

Niger Tornadoes have secured the services of the Nigeria midfielder following his 11-match campaign with Kwara United, and Hannafi is now registered with the Minna-based club for the next stage of his career.

The move leaves Kwara United after eight months and follows his earlier switch from ABS FC at the start of 2026. Hannafi has therefore played for three Nigerian clubs by the age of 19: ABS FC, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes.

With no contract expiry date provided, the completed transfer is confirmed by Hannafi’s registration as a Niger Tornadoes player on 22 August 2026.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams. In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
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