Technical Adviser of Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala has attributed his side's 2-1 win over El Kanemi Warriors in the AITEO Cup Round of 64 game on Thursday to hard work and zeal which produced a deserved result.
Stand in captain, Bolaji Adeyemo scored both Tornadoes' goals in the 58th and 62nd minutes in an interesting encounter played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja and was enough for the Ikon Allah boys to book their passage to the next round of the competition.
Former Tornadoes' defender Samuel Tswanya scored the consolatory goal for Elkanemi with ten minutes to end the match as he tucked in the from close range from Bello Kofarmata's corner.
Usman Ali Manika could have give the visitors the lead inside ten minutes into the game when his rasping shot from Isiaka Olawale's laid on agonizingly struck the bar.
Tanko Awwal was the culprit for Tornadoes' profligacy in attack as he fluffed series of scoring opportunities that could buried the game for the Minna based side.
But the second half was lively for Tornadoes after former Elkanemi Warrior's striker, Ebenezer Odeyemi was introduced and brought flair and sharpness to his side's attack.
Bala told reporters moments after the match that he knew his lads were up to the task of repeating another win over their visitors after beating El Kanemi Warriors 1-0 in the NPFL matchday 32 eleven days ago at the same venue and expressed delight for recoding another victory against a team managed by his brother from the same town.
"We had a good game today, and it was victory well deserved, begins the former FC Lokoja coach.
"El Kanemi Warriors are not push over before the game because they are also a top side but my boys gave good account of themselves to see off the same team we beat here (Lokoja) 1-0 eleven days ago.
"Creating a lot of chances in a game is better, if you create your chance you take the few you are able to take, said Bala.
"We had lot of chances but we couldn't bury them but am satisfied with the result which put us in the next round, I want the boys to do better again with this performance in our subsequent games."
When asked about his target in the AITEO Cup, Bala replied: " It's a hidden one for now, I want to keep that to myself," he maintained."
Bala further revealed that the victory toady has put them in good stated as they face Sunshine Stars in the NPFL match day 35 at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode on Sunday.
"It a moral boaster for us (Tornadoes), it has given us hope again after going down 3-0 to Akwa United last weekend.
" We have gotten this on a platter of a good performance, we believe now that the boys can go there (Ijebu Ode) and do better, " Bala enthused.
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