Niger Tornadoes head coach Abubakar Bala has targeted a continental ticket for his team ahead of the new Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Bala, who is also the Golden Eaglets assistant coach, will take his wards to newly promoted side, Kwara United, on Matchday 1 next month.

In his words via Super Sport, Abubakar Bala said: “We recruited 18 players, dropped 21 and retained 19 for the upcoming football season.

“We recruited quality players to add value to our squad, especially in our attack which was our weakest point last season.

“Already the new recruits have shown their class the pre-season tournaments – the Gold Cup and the Ahlan Cup 2017.

“The team is stronger now compared with what we had last season.

“We attracted quality players from the best club sides in the country, including Enyimba, Akwa United, Plateau United, Lobi Stars and Rivers United.

“I think the attraction for the new players is the unusual set-up at Niger Tornadoes that puts a premium on player welfare.

“None of our players are owed any entitlements and that’s a huge factor to entice and quality players to our camp.

“The target for us in the coming football season is to cement a continental ticket as well as win the league honours.

“We will have to fight hard to better our performance.

“This state of affairs is a bit shaky with regards to the new management shakeup.

“The entire team is wondering whether the new management will be do better than their predecessors.

“However, we remain positive that the end result will be productive and the players will return from their break stronger to confront the task ahead.” he concluded.