Tornadoes still rusty from break, says Bala News

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Tornadoes still rusty from break, says Bala

By Daily Sports on May 23, 2017

Niger Tornadoes coach Abubakar Bala believes that his charges are yet to overcome their hangover from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) break following their 1-0 loss at Kano Pillars on Sunday.

According to him, Tornadoes players are yet to hit proper shape due to the long break.

Bala also blamed momentary loss of concentration as reason behind the goal they conceded.

"We are not properly in shape. Our sharpness is yet to return after weeks off due to the break. It's clear that my boys are match rusty; hopefully we'll get better in our subsequent games," he said after the match.

"The goal we conceded could have been avoided if we were attentive to the run behind from the man who delivered the cross. We have also learned ‎a vital lesson in terms of staying focus all through the game."

Tornadoes captain and goalkeeper Aliko Mustapha agreed with his coach, and promised to lift the spirit of his teammates ahead of their next match at home, although he admitted his disappointment of leaving Kano without a point despite the saves he made during the game.

Kano Pillars started the second stanza of the NPFL on a sound note after a hard-earned 1-0 win over visiting Niger Tornadoes at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.

Pillars started the game with the clear intention of picking up all three points at stake, but Tornadoes centre half duo of Andrew Ikefe and Sunday Akimoladun helped contain them.

Junior Lokosa was the first Pillars players to evade the defence of Tornadoes, but his header went well wide of goal, a miss he later made atonement for few minutes later.

Kano Pillars left full back Idris Aloma sneaked in unnoticed behind the defence of Tornadoes‎ before delivering a pin point cross which was headed home by debutant Lokosa in the 25th minute.

*Photo shows Abubakar Bala

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 23, 2017