Nigeria Leagues
NPFL: Mohammed Magin blames Tornadoes loss to Pillars on ‘unfortunate injuries’
By Wale Mustapha
Niger Tornadoes Head Coach, Mohammed Magin, has attributed his side’s 2-1 defeat to Kano Pillars to a series of early injuries that disrupted their game plan during Saturday’s Matchday 18 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The Ikon Allah Boys put up a spirited performance but were forced to make two substitutions in the first half due to injuries to goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo and midfielder Joseph Godstime. They were replaced by Yusuf Mohammed and Rickson Mendos, respectively.
Despite the setbacks, Tornadoes fought back in the second half when Mohamed Aliyu’s powerful strike equalized for the visitors after Alhassan Rasheed had given Kano Pillars the lead.
However, a late goal from veteran striker Ahmed Musa handed the hosts a hard-fought victory.
Coach Magin praised his players for their resilience but expressed that the injuries had a significant impact on their approach to the match.
“We had a good game, but it’s a defeat, and we’ve taken it like that. Unfortunate injuries to my players early in the game changed the pattern of our approach to the game, and that affected us,” Magin explained.
“It’s a good atmosphere, and if you come here and play good football, you get your result.”
Tornadoes will look to bounce back in their final match of the first half of the season, where they will host Enugu Rangers at the Bako Kotangora Stadium in Minna.
