Aliko relishes best start to NPFL season

By Akeem Lawal

NIGER Tornadoes goalkeeper, Aliko Mustapha is targeting a continental ticket after enjoying a good start to the 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The Ikoh Allah are topping the league table after two games following their 2-0 away victory over Kwara United in the opening game in Ilorin and a 2-1 win against FC Ifeanyiubah 2-1 in the mid-week encounter at their adopted home, the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, Aliko, who kept 14 clean sheets to help the Minna side finished 11th last season and was also instrumental to the team’s run to the final of the 2017 Aiteo Federation Cup, where they lost on penalties to Akwa United, said  his aim is to help his side surpass last season’s achievements.

“Since I became the captain of Niger Tornadoes, this is the best start in the Premier League. This is the first time we will be winning our first game and by the grace of God it is the beginning of good things to come.

“Before the season kicked off, the team talked about surpassing our last season’s performance. We finished 11th on the log and also played in the Federations Cup final. This season, by the special grace of God, we are going to pick one of the continental tickets. I strongly believe we can achieve that.

“Football is a team game, we want to play as a team and anything that comes my way fine. If the team wins and I concede 10 goals, it’s okay by me.

“My target is to play and win and play good for the team. I don’t want to be an individual player. Individual award is good too but as a goalkeeper and the captain of the club, the team is first. Anything I want to do is about the club, then my own personal glory. I’m praying and hoping that I will surpass my achievements last season,” Aliko told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com. 

Niger Tornadoes will travel to Bauchi to take on Wikki Tourists in the NPFL Match-Day 3 encounter on Sunday.