By Wale Mustapha
Niger Tornadoes midfielder Onyeka Okoro has become the focus of a transfer tussle among top Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs following an impressive season with the Minna-based side.
Okoro played a crucial role in helping Tornadoes avoid relegation, contributing a goal and an assist as the club beat Kano Pillars in their final game to retain their top-flight status.
According to sources close to the club, Nasarawa United and Plateau United are leading the race to sign the combative midfielder ahead of the new season.
“Both clubs are very interested, and it’s only a matter of time before a decision is made,” the source said, indicating that Okoro is unlikely to remain with the Tornadoes next season.
The 24-year-old, known for his work rate and midfield tenacity, previously featured for Kwara United before joining Tornadoes.
With interest heating up and offers on the table, Okoro could soon be on his way to one of the league’s more ambitious sides as he looks to take the next step in his career.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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.
