Nasarawa United hotshot Silas Nwankwo says the Solid Miners will be targeting a win against Bayelsa United when both sides clash in the final of the Aiteo Cup on Sunday to make up for the disappointment of finishing outside the top 3 in the just-concluded 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Bala Nikyu’s side, who are in their second final in the last five, confront giant-killers Bayelsa United, who have accounted for the exits of former champions Rangers, Lobi Stars and Rivers United in the competition, in the showpiece finale at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, with winners qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

Nwankwo, who finished last season’s NPFL campaign as the top scorer with 19 goals – same as Akwa United’s Charles Atshimene (who scored more penalties) – says nothing short of a win against Bayelsa United will be good enough for the Lafia-based side, after they were denied a place in the continent via the NPFL following a 3-1 defeat at Abia Warriors on the final day of the season.

“We don’t have any other thing to actually show for our good form and good display this season than to lift that cup (Aiteo Cup),” Nwankwo, who is also the leading scorer in the competition this season with 3 goals, said.

“Our fans have been behind us from the beginning of the season till when we lost the automatic qualification for the continent after we were defeated by Abia Warriors on the final day of the season.

“So, we will be going all out to see if we can grab the cup, which will allow us to go to the continent.”