Dumped out of the Total CAF Confederation Cup following a 5-4 aggregate loss to Santoba FC of Guinea, Goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko said Niger Tornadoes remain unbowed and would make a quick return to the continental scene yet again.
Both sides played a pulsating 3-3 draw on Friday but the Nigeria flag bearers were undone following their earlier 2-1 loss at home a fortnight ago.
But Aliko who doubles as captain of Tornadoes was of the view that his side would bounce back very soon, adding that the experience would serve the team in good stead for future engagements.
“It is regrettable that we lost out of the competition,” the 24-year-old Aliko told The Nation Sport.
“We were just unlucky right from in the first leg when we played better and still lost at home.
“In fact, their (Santoba FC) fans were surprised we were the team they beat in Nigeria.
“The pitch we played was not good but we did our best; just that our best was not the best Nigerians were looking for. We were scoring first but they equalised.
“That showed we were better in both games but you know Nigerians are crazy about football and they won’t think we did marvellously.”
The ouster from continental cup notwithstanding, Meanwhile, Aliko has hinted Tornadoes would strategise for the future as the Minna-based side are looking for their first domestic silverware following recent hiccups in the Aiteo Cup where they lost twice in three years to Akwa United (2017) and Kano Pillars (2019).
“Now, we have to go back home and plan for the league, hopefully we are coming back to the continental soon,” noted Aliko.