Don’t count Tornadoes out of Confederation Cup, says Mustapha Aliko

Niger Tornadoes goalkeeper and captain, Mustapha Aliko has said the first leg loss to Santoba of Guinea is not enough for anyone to rule out his team’s chances of progressing in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

The Nigerian representatives were stunned 2-1 last Saturday at their adopted home ground Ahmadu Bello stadium Kaduna in the first leg of their Confederation Cup preliminary Round.

Tornadoes were lucky qualifiers for the CAF second tier qualifiers after they reached the final of the Aiteo Cup which they eventually lost to Kano Pillars.

Although already relegated to the lower division of the Nigerian League, Tornadoes had promised to give a good account of themselves in the continent.

Unfortunately, they now face a daunting task as they are condemned to win away in Conakry if they are to keep their continental hopes alive.

Aliko however told Daily Trust that even asTornadoes are in a precarious situation, it is not yet over for them.

According to him, the ‘Ikon Allah’ boys now have their backs to the wall so they are going fight to wriggle free from the grip of their opponents.

“It was not the result we wanted but we are focused on winning the return leg. In football, anything can happen.

“If they come and get a win in Nigeria, who says we cannot beat them in their home?. We are not giving up on our dream of going far in the continent.

“Nobody should write us off yet. We are determined to move to the next round. We are not going to allow the result in the first leg weaken our spirits,” said the former Golden Eaglets keeper.

Aliko, therefore, called on