Niger Tornadoes head coach Abubakar Bala has berated the awful officiating in his side’s 2-0 defeat against Plateau United in a Nigeria Professional Football League match in Jos.
Ikon Allah’s men suffered their first defeat in six games at the Rwang Pam Stadium, but the handler lauded his team’s performance, vowing they will shift focus on securing victory against Gombe United on Sunday.
“The referee was not fair to us. From the beginning of the game, the officiating was bad and frustrating,” Bala told Goal.
"I'm not really worried about the offside goals Plateau scored, but the terrible attacks on our players during the game were disappointing.
“The way Plateau players were kicking players were sad on the pitch with no caution from the referee.
Next matches
"I'm quite shocked at how terrible they played and still on top of the log - all in the bid to win a match at all cost. This is no football.
“Sadly, the referee gave five minutes added time to the end of the first half and still did not blow the whistle until seven minutes later allowing an offside goal stand."
He continued: “The LMC is trying to good job but all of us as stakeholders must do our own part to ensure the league progress.
"My players impressed me in Jos. They did their best and played to instructions but we lost to the frustration from the referee.
"For our next match, I've told my players to focus on ensuring we get back to winning ways. We won't allow Jos defeat rue our aspirations.
"We will plan a different strategy to win at home against Gombe United."
Niger Tornadoes are seventh with 12 points and will face Gombe United in a Week 10 match at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium.
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